The Influence Of The Enlightenment Philosophes

Enlightenment philosophes influenced current political structures by addressing new ideas that are still spread and acknowledged by citizens of every world government. Philosophes’ influences include the recognition of natural rights, for citizens, needed to be upheld by a government; the questioning of what government type addresses human nature, good or evil, efficiently; and the different life experiences or circumstances that cause different beliefs on the rights of citizens. The Enlightenment period helped to arise the issue of what natural rights are and how they should be protected by a government. The U.S. Declaration of Independence states, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
John Locke, an English philosopher, inspired the founding fathers of the United States in expressing these principles through their writing to England. He believed that all men were created equal and deserved natural rights which the founders of the United States found necessary for the citizens of the U.S.A. Mary Wollstonecraft views of equal rights for men and women are exemplified in the Declaration of Independence, although it is only stated that men are created equal and did not acknowledge women as an equal power. The fact that Locke and Wollstonecraft’s ideas are used in the Declaration of Independence proves that he influenced the making of an independent government unlike the absolute monarch of England. Some philosophes accepted human nature as good and others as evil which made them an advocate for a type of government system. Those that thought human nature is good would believe in a
Everyone is born differently causing their life experiences and constructing their views. Some people may be born into a family of the Middle East and have distinct views from a person born to a family of North America. There are so many factors that affect the lives of philosophers like Mary Wollstonecraft. Mary Wollstonecraft was born into a family with an abusive father figure in England during 1759 through 1797. It was rare for people to be feminists at the time because men were always thought to be superiors. Wollstonecraft introduced the idea of equal rights for men and women, and the idea that education is a right for every citizen. In some ways, she is thought to have started the women's suffrage movement. She said, “I do not wish them to have power over men; but over themselves” (Wollstonecraft). The suggestion of equal rights for women and men was not a popular idea of the time, but was later accepted in many countries, like the United States, to grant women equal rights. In 2015, women of Saudi Arabia were first allowed to vote which is present proof that Wollstonecraft’s legacy still lasts today as women carry on their suffrage movement. Locke however was enabled by his creator to be born as a male Locke pushed the idea of all men being equal, but did not understand the life of a woman. He did not have to desire equal