Which Enlightenment philosopher's ideas influenced American Revolutionaries?

The influence of John Locke on American Revolutionaries is substantial and foundational. Locke's philosophy centered on the concepts of natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, which became central ideals in the Declaration of Independence and the overall justification for the American Revolution. He argued that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed, which resonated with the revolutionary belief that the people have the right to revolt against a government that does not protect their rights.

Locke's social contract theory emphasized that individuals have the right to establish a government that safeguards their rights, and if it fails to do so, they should have the authority to alter or abolish it. This idea provided a moral and philosophical justification for the colonists' break from British rule.

His writings inspired future democratic principles, highlighting the importance of individual freedom and the role of government in protecting these freedoms, making his ideas crucial to the philosophies underlying the American Revolution.