The Influence of Enlightenment Thinking on Colonial America

Image: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1680&bih=959&tbs=sur:fmc&tbm=isch&tbnid=ZHeWAKxpyHSXaM:&imgrefurl=http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/28324&docid=_SfumYAoHSePsM&imgurl=http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/02/83/028324_462549e0.jpg&w=640&h=480&ei=DcBTT9XSDIHe0QH3r73wDQ&zoom=1

The first Puritans who settled in New England brought with them a passion and conviction in their religious beliefs. The Enlightenment had a profound effect on religion here in the colonies and the way that we viewed progress. Many Christians found the enlightened view of the world consistent with Christian beliefs, and used this rational thinking as support for the existence and benevolence of God.

Image: http://host3.images.cdn.fotopedia.com/flickr-1284272029-medium.jpg

In the colonies, the Enlightenment was appreciated by influential colonials who were intent on keeping up with the Europeans’ advancements. Among those responsible for spread of the Enlightenment in America was Professor John Winthrop, the long-time governor of Connecticut. Image:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

File:JohnWinthropColorPortrait.jpg

Be Franklin is probably the person most of us recognize from the age of Enlightenment. In the course of his life, Franklin owned a printing press, published Poor Richard's Almanac, founded a fire company and a library, and helped start a debating club. He is also credited with several inventions, including the lightning rod, a glass harmonica, and the Franklin stove. 

Image: http://quotationsbook.com/assets/shared/img/2619/Benjamin_Franklin_by_Jean-Baptiste_Greuze.jpg

The Enlightenment also had an impact on education. Franklin helped found the College of Philadelphia, which later became the University of Pennsylvania. At the same time, a spate of other learning institutions arose, including the College of New Jersey, College of Philadelphia, Kings, Queens, Brown, and Dartmouth. Though these colleges’ primary focus remained to train ministers, the Enlightenment opened up education beyond that single purpose. The focus on education led to the establishment of public libraries and an increasing amount of social activism.

Image: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1680&bih=959&tbs=sur:fmc&tbm=isch&tbnid=ork6-rJkxeTuwM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cehwiedel.com/booklists/2006/01/Booklist.20060120.htm&docid=CvWklkgXnfB6hM&imgurl=http://www.cehwiedel.com/booklists/2006/01/image/BenFranklinBooks.png&w=300&h=359&ei=D8RTT9LMAqH20gH0iMGADg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=150&sig=114673872286523793523&page=1&tbnh=104&tbnw=87&start=0&ndsp=46&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=45&ty=51

The Enlightenment’s influence on eighteenth-century America should not be underestimated. Advances in science and the arts, along with increased religious freedom, carried over into modern society. The focus on balance and order set the groundwork for an American governing system that included a balance of power. Our founding fathers believed that by using reason and logic, we could create a better form of government. And, this we did right here in America!

Image:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_flag_13_stars_%E2%80%93_Betsy_Ross.svg