Final answer:
The impact of Enlightenment ideals on the thinking of the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution was significant. The Founding Fathers were influenced by Enlightenment thinkers and their ideas on natural rights, liberty, and just government. These ideas shaped the formation of a new government in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impact of Enlightenment ideals on the thinking of the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution was significant. The Founding Fathers, including Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, were influenced by Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Baron de Montesquieu. These Enlightenment philosophers emphasized concepts like natural rights, liberty, social contract, and the importance of a just government.
For example, Thomas Paine's pamphlet 'Common Sense' used clear language to argue for equality and criticize the concept of a hereditary monarchy. This work appealed to both practical-minded merchants and principled philosophers, helping the colonists understand why continuing as colonies was not a solution. Additionally, the ideas of Rousseau and Montesquieu on government influenced the Founding Fathers' decision to separate powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
In summary, the Enlightenment ideals of human rights, liberty, and just government profoundly shaped the thinking of the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution and influenced the formation of a new government in the United States.