Final answer:
Writings from Enlightenment figures like Voltaire influenced the Atlantic revolutions by promoting the idea that people should assess and decide if their government serves their interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The important belief that writings like Voltaire's imparted to the people who started the Atlantic revolutions is that people should decide for themselves whether their governments were working for their interests. This Enlightenment idea emphasized the role of individuals in governing themselves, challenging the traditional divine right of kings. Philosophers like Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers within governments and Rousseau proposed that sovereignty rested with the people, not with monarchs. These philosophes inspired democratic principles and provided the foundation for modern constitutions, including the separation of powers and the importance of education in fostering good governance, as reflected in the words of Simon Bolivar. Additionally, John Locke's theories supported the belief that people had a right to change a government that did not protect their natural rights.