Independence Unit
During the 1700s, new ideas from the Elightenment changed colonist’s mind by making them understand their rights and leading up where they declared Independence after all. New ideas were found by scientists; those ideas went against religious ideas, scientists called this time period the Enlightenment. Moreover, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had a major impact on the colonists. Finally, Thomas Jefferson incorporated the ideas of the Enlightenment into the Declaration of Independence. The Enlightenment and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense resulted in colonists declaring independence and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
New ideas were found by scientists in the 18th century; these ideas went against religious ideas, scientists called this time period the Enlightenment. During the enlightenment, philosophers believed the use of reason is the best method for learning the truth. Many philosophers put ahead their ideas during the Enlightenment. One philosopher was John Locke who believed in the idea of Natural Rights. These rights belonged to all people at birth which was life, liberty, and property. The colonists understood their rights and what they actually deserved. The Enlightenment also affected the type of government in Great Britain. Before the Enlightenment occurred, Great Britain was ruled by a monarchy. The king in Great Britain was put into power by the church. Hence, the king of Great Britain only had to focus on pleasing the colonists. Before the Enlightenment took place, people were loyal to the king and the church. However, people’s attitudes started to change. Science took over religion and people started to disbelief what was told to them by the church, which occurred through the geocentric theory. It declared that the Earth was in the center of the universe, but Galileo proved it wrong. By saying the sun was really in the center of the universe, it was the heliocentric theory. This motivated people to think that, “What else has the king lied about?” The publication of a 47 page pamphlet, known as the Common Sense was another cause leading to writing the Declaration of independence. Common Sense was written to argue that the colonists deserved rights.