Enlightenment Versus British Political Control
The Colonial American enlightenment ideals
compared to the British oppression
The development of enlightenment ideals such as equality, democracy, and religious freedom were more influential on the American colonists than the British oppression, and helped catalyst the American Revolution.
The idea of equality is a strongly preached idea of enlightenment, and was one of the main points in the evolution to the American Revolution. As stated in the declaration of independence; all men are created equally. Concepts such as freedom from oppression, natural rights, and new ways of thinking about governmental structure came straight from Enlightenment philosophers such as Locke and forged the foundations for colonial America. In colonial America, having the ability to have the same rights and same voice as any other man in the society was a way of life through out the formation of the American colonies. When the British Parliament began their virtual representation of the American colonists, the Americans felt abused and not equal to the British. This act of virtual representation presented by the British was when the British claimed to be representing the American colonists in the British parliament with their best interests in mind. With this virtual representation however, the American colonists were not consulted about their opinion about the issues, and resulted in frustration from the colonists. The colonists wanted to be fairly represented, and due to their enlightenment ideals, protested and demanded equality. The mere act of not representing the colonists fairly did upset many, but the addition of their morals based on equality ideals helped push the American colonies towards the revolution, and bring an end to the unjust ruling of the British empire and parliament.
The formation and usage of a democracy, clearly inscribed in enlightenment ideals, played a major role in the build up and continuation of the revolution. One of the...
View Full Essay
