The Enlightenment had a profound impact on American democracy by promoting ideas concerning reason, individual rights, and the social contract. Philosophers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the importance of liberty, equality, and democratic governance. The Enlightenment's advocacy for rational thought and skepticism of traditional authority encouraged American colonists to question British rule and seek self-governance. These philosophical underpinnings fostered a spirit of revolution, leading to the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of a democratic system that valued popular sovereignty, ultimately shaping the political landscape of the new nation.