There are many Enlightenment thinkers who influenced the US government: 1. John Locke has the idea where governments should protect people’s natural rights, the idea where everyone is born with equal rights, and private property. He influenced the Declaration of Independence 2. Montesquieu had the idea where government powers should be divided between groups. He influenced the idea of the three branches. 3. Thomas Hobbes has the idea that all men are wild and a government is needed to keep them in control and alive. He influenced the Constitution 4. Rousseau had the idea where all government power should go to its people. This influenced ideas of a democratic government.
