How did the Enlightenment influence the American Revolution?

The Enlightenment significantly influenced the American Revolution by inspiring ideas of liberty and individual rights. Thinkers of the Enlightenment, such as John Locke, advocated for the concept that all individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property. These philosophical principles emphasized the importance of reason and the idea that governments are created to protect the rights of individuals rather than impose authority over them.

This ideology resonated with the American colonists, who were increasingly frustrated with British rule and perceived injustices. The Enlightenment's challenge to traditional authority and its promotion of democratic ideals fueled revolutionary sentiments, leading to the quest for independence and the establishment of a government based on the consent of the governed. The emphasis on individual rights and freedoms served as a foundation for key documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, which articulated the colonists' desire for liberty and justice.

In contrast, the other options either misrepresent the ideals of the Enlightenment or do not apply to the revolutionary context. Promoting monarchal authority or superstitious beliefs runs counter to the Enlightenment's focus on reason and individualism, while dismissing democracy undermines the very principles that inspired the American Revolution.