Final answer:
The negative effects of Enlightenment ideals on the US include the entrenchment of slavery, the creation of a new class system, and the displacement of indigenous peoples, despite the principles of liberty and natural rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negative Effects of Enlightenment Ideals on the US
The Enlightenment brought about significant changes in the US, including the birth of the nation itself by inspiring the American Revolution. However, these changes were not without negative consequences. One negative effect was the entrenchment of slavery, as the Enlightenment emphasis on property rights and individual liberties paradoxically strengthened justifications for slavery among the property-owning elites. Secondly, while advocating for liberty and natural rights, the Enlightenment also indirectly contributed to the development of a new class system in America, where the wealthy could dominate political discourse, leading to uneven social dynamics. Finally, Enlightenment ideals like the pursuit of progress and rational thought sometimes justified the displacement of indigenous peoples, as these actions were seen as part of civilization's advancement.
These consequences illustrate an imperfect application of Enlightenment principles, which sometimes could contradict their original intent when put into practice. The challenges and contradictions of implementing such ideals remind us of the complexity of historical progress and the ongoing struggle to align principles with actions.