WGU D082 Task 1 | Passed on First Attempt | Update |
Complete Solution
TASK 1
Name: XXXXXXXXXXX
Student ID: XXXXXXX
A. Explain how Enlightenment ideas influenced the founding of the United States.
Include two specific examples from two of the following documents:
• Declaration of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Constitution
• Bill of Rights
Enlightenment ideas had a big impact on how the United States was
founded. Thinkers from that time believed in things like freedom, fairness,
and the idea that governments should work for the people—not the other
way around. These beliefs helped shape key documents in American history.
Here are two examples:
1. Declaration of Independence (1776):
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this document was inspired by
Enlightenment thinker John Locke. Locke believed that everyone had
basic rights like life, liberty, and property. Jefferson used these
ideas and wrote that all people have the right to "life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness." He also said that governments get their
power from the people, and if they don't protect these rights, the
people have the right to change or remove that government (Locke,
1689). This shows how Enlightenment thinking pushed for freedom
and fairness.
2. U.S. Constitution (1787):
Another Enlightenment thinker, Montesquieu, believed that power
should be split up between different parts of government so no one
group gets too strong (Montesquieu, 1748). The Constitution followed
this idea by creating three branches of government: one to make
laws (Congress), one to carry them out (President), and one to
interpret them (Courts). Each branch can check the others, so no one
is too powerful. This setup was meant to protect people’s freedom and
keep the government fair.
In short, Enlightenment ideas helped shape the U.S. by encouraging
freedom, equal rights, and a government that serves the people.
Complete Solution
TASK 1
Name: XXXXXXXXXXX
Student ID: XXXXXXX
A. Explain how Enlightenment ideas influenced the founding of the United States.
Include two specific examples from two of the following documents:
• Declaration of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Constitution
• Bill of Rights
Enlightenment ideas had a big impact on how the United States was
founded. Thinkers from that time believed in things like freedom, fairness,
and the idea that governments should work for the people—not the other
way around. These beliefs helped shape key documents in American history.
Here are two examples:
1. Declaration of Independence (1776):
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this document was inspired by
Enlightenment thinker John Locke. Locke believed that everyone had
basic rights like life, liberty, and property. Jefferson used these
ideas and wrote that all people have the right to "life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness." He also said that governments get their
power from the people, and if they don't protect these rights, the
people have the right to change or remove that government (Locke,
1689). This shows how Enlightenment thinking pushed for freedom
and fairness.
2. U.S. Constitution (1787):
Another Enlightenment thinker, Montesquieu, believed that power
should be split up between different parts of government so no one
group gets too strong (Montesquieu, 1748). The Constitution followed
this idea by creating three branches of government: one to make
laws (Congress), one to carry them out (President), and one to
interpret them (Courts). Each branch can check the others, so no one
is too powerful. This setup was meant to protect people’s freedom and
keep the government fair.
In short, Enlightenment ideas helped shape the U.S. by encouraging
freedom, equal rights, and a government that serves the people.
