Our founding fathers were inspired by influential people to write the great documents for America. For instance, Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, was inspired by ideas of philosophers in the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment ideas from political philosophers were used by other founding fathers as a means to motivate others for the Revolution. After the Revolution, James Madison also used ideas of Enlightenment philosophers to construct the United States Constitution. Philosophers, like Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau, all had a great influence in the making of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
As a result, Jefferson, Montesquieu, Locke, and other members of the founding generation were deeply influenced by this 18th-century European intellectual movement. These philosophers were exposed to some of the leading thinkers of the Enlightenment who believed rational thought and useful knowledge guaranteed an optimistic outlook of hope and promise of a better future. Not only that, but the many culminating revolutions that revolved - the Scientific Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, etc. - as well as a great environmental awareness were many factors as a result of the Enlightenment. Jefferson drew upon his education in law and Enlightenment philosophy in order to compose the Declaration of Independence, a treatise that focused on liberty and slavery.
Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were both big influential political figures in two different eras. In their Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy they had a lot of political, economic, social, and religious beliefs. Each formed their own democracy that helped shape the way the government is today. Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson had a couple of similarities in their democracy but they also had a lot of differences too. These men both had good ideas and tried hard to help the United States be the best it can be.
Finance, legislation and devolution seem to be at the very core of everything in the world of UK and Scottish politics, but just how much do Holyrood and Westminster actually get on? Legislation plays a key role in the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster and can sometimes cause breakdowns involving the two, and in 1998 the UK Government announced that a convention would be established so that Westminster would not normally legislate on devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. This was called the “Sewel Motion”, now a Legislative Consent Motion and proved to be a huge success between the two governments. Scottish Ministers can also provide support to UK Government Ministers. This happened under the leadership of the former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell as he felt that it would be appropriate for the Scottish Government to give aid to Malawi.
Great minds think alike. That saying is definitely the case with both Richard Rorty and John Dewey. Both share very many similar ideas beliefs, which is not surprising since Rorty considers Dewey to be one of the most important intellectuals of the 20th century which is why Rorty takes most of his ideas from those of Dewey. Despite Dewey influencing the thoughts of Rorty, John Dewey would have responded with his own thoughts and small criticism to Richard Rorty thoughts on democracy, philosophy, and truth. Both Rorty and Dewey were big supporters of maintaining and developing democracy.
On the other hand, the nobility had many rights. Today it’s greatly known that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were well influenced from the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment thinkers argued against these traditions, and called for individual freedoms, governments of the people, and religious freedom. They were "enlightened" because they believed that humans could answer questions for them, and sought ways to put this philosophy into practice. John Locke, an Enlightenment thinker, highly influenced the Declaration of Independence.
Their ideology would influence some of the greatest minds of all time. What would Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson think of today’s society? Five major similarities between Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, illustrates their disbelief in the government and their true passion for Transcendentalism. The first similarity between these two men was who they were as individuals and the people they were amongst their peers. Although they were separated by a generation in age, they were two men of the same beliefs and shared the same ideas.
American National Government Discussion of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” “Common sense is a genius dressed in its working clothes” Ralph Waldo Emerson Emerson’s quote is a great example of what Thomas Paine was trying to do with his famous work Common Sense. The plain language used by Paine spoke to the common people of America and was the first published record openly asking for independence from Great Britain. There were several key points Paine was trying to express to the common people. The most important of them are: the sole purpose of the government, the notions of monarchy and hereditary succession, and the reasons for America’s independence. Paine used Common Sense as a great tool to let the commoners and less educated to gain some insight on the role and purpose of government.
Thomas Jefferson is celebrated as a wise and influential founding father. The foundation of our nation is built on Jefferson’s political engagement and our history as an independent nation is composed by the influence of his pen. History is filled with the accomplishments of fallible human beings; Jefferson is no exception. I am prepared to recognize significant flaws during Jefferson’s reign, and focus on the duality of Jefferson the philosopher versus Jefferson the politician. The philosopher filled our libraries with documents that cement the fundamental structure of our constitution.
Influences on the Declaration of Independence Throughout history there have been many powerful and influential pieces of writing. When it comes to American history there is no piece of writing more eminent then the Declaration of Independence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson and several American representatives on July 2nd. Although this piece has become well known for defining America and our government today, many of the main ideas are borrowed from various influences. The writers of the Declaration were influenced by many political, economic, and philosophical influences. Natural law is one of the most major philosophical and political influences on the Declaration of Independence.