Englands involvement in the Enlightenment and its affect on the Constitution - Research Paper Example

This revolution aimed at achieving high levels of tolerance and inclusiveness, (Mason p 40). The movement was sparked by Baruch Spinoza, Pierre Bayle, John Locke and Isaac Newton in 1600-1700. The movement flourished until the rise of romanticism which put more emphasis on emotion. From that moment, the anti-Enlightment gathered momentum but then the 18th century, (Apetrei 2010). John Locke was one of the most influential thinkers in England under this movement. He influenced many other thinkers such us Voltaire among others.

He defined property as a natural right derived from labor, (Mason p10). Using this, he came up with a slogan life, liberty and property, (Apetrei p201). The Great Britain customized its own Enlightment, (Mason p201). The Protestants in England sought to express themselves in ways that kept on widening the freedom of speech and the media at large. Unitarians and Quakers who were radical opened new levels of open communication that caused Voltaire to imagine they were congenial. This happened when he was in exile there, (Kors 1987).

England was able to experience the revolution and, therefore it proceeded with smoothness to the path of democracy. This smooth road to democracy in England proved to be a dynamite in the France because of the resistance from the church and state was strong, (Mason p210). This gave rise to a revolution in France. The irony is that, England maintained a society that was full of class advantages and privileges and pious. With time, the power of religion slowly decreased in England. In France, it was radically removed, (Apetrei p10).

In 1780, the debating groups or societies began to grow rapidly in London, (Kors p87). This was the immediate impact of the Enlightment movement. Prior to that, the society was dictated by superstitions and a blind following of the state’s policies and culture, (Kors 1987). The levels of indolence were high, with the church and the state leading affairs through emotion and force. Groups of fifty or more people, men especially, met to discuss issues of the state, (Mason p210). Law students also set up mooting clubs to practice rhetoric and openly discuss issues that affect their lives and the lives of the other citizens.

There was the birth of the spouting groups and clubs, (Mason p110). These helped actors in training for theatrical roles, (Apetrei p110). This gave way for citizens to express their sentiments through theatre and art, (Mason 2010). The laws students could openly challenge the government policies, and compared their government with other governments and constitutions. Outrageous sermons were made, which were open and free as more Protestants sought for space to express their opinions, (Mason 2010).

This gave birth to the rise of human rights. People were beginning to be convinced that they are entitled to some basic values and standard by the estate, (Kors 1987). England in particular was notorious for having different classed of people of different status. These classes had different privileges-based access to power and perception, (Mason 2010). The aim was to make the society embrace decency and order. It also sought to make people more liberal than they were. Debating societies welcomed up to 1200 people a night who were willing to share ordinary issues that affected their lives, (Apetrei p210).

Besides, the groups