The Enlightenment was a big cultural and intellectual movement that happened in the 17th and 18th centuries. It had a huge impact on how American colonists viewed authority.

Some important thinkers from the Enlightenment, like John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu, talked a lot about reason, individual rights, and the idea of a social contract. This changed how people thought about government.

1. Individual Rights:

• John Locke believed in natural rights—these are the rights to life, liberty, and property. He argued that governments should protect these rights.
• This idea made colonists feel it was okay to stand up against unfair rulers.
• As a result, many colonists began to reject absolute monarchy (a government led by a king or queen) and instead supported the idea of popular sovereignty, which means that the people should have the power to govern themselves.

2. Skepticism of Authority:

• Enlightenment ideas encouraged people to question traditional forms of power.
• Colonists started to doubt British authority, especially when it came to taxes and laws made without their consent.
• For example, in 1765, the Stamp Act led to many protests. This law required colonists to pay taxes on printed materials, and it upset many people. Groups like the Sons of Liberty formed because of this, using Enlightenment ideas to rally against the British.

3. Intellectual Exchange:

• Enlightenment writings spread across the colonies, which helped more people learn to read and write.
• By the mid-1700s, about 75% of white men in New England could read and write, creating a public that was more aware and critical of British rule.
• Pamphlets, like Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," published in 1776, sold around 500,000 copies. This showed just how much Enlightenment thought influenced people.

In summary, the ideas from the Enlightenment led to a big change in how colonists viewed authority. They inspired a spirit of resistance and laid the groundwork for the American Revolution.