USA HISTORY

THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION 1700 1774

THE AMERICAN ENLIGHTENMENT INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL REVOLUTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
The 1st amendment to the US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Which Enlightenment thinker would MOST agree with this amendment?
A
Voltaire
B
Montesquieu
C
Newton
D
Descartes
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Detailed explanation-2: -He believed social progress could be achieved through reason and that no authority-religious or political or otherwise-should be immune to challenge by reason. He emphasized in his work the importance of tolerance, especially religious tolerance.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the treatise, Voltaire argues in favour of toleration of religious belief, while reserving the right to argue strenuously against it, and denouncing religious fanaticism of all stripes. “Tolerance has never provoked a civil war; intolerance has covered the Earth in carnage.”

Detailed explanation-4: -Voltaire influenced the U.S. Constitution with his arguments for freedom of religion and of expression. Candide explored the importance of the right to choose one’s own religious views and the need for freedom of speech.

There is 1 question to complete.