The impact of the Enlightenment on American founding principles was profound, as it introduced ideas of rational thought, individual rights, and government by consent. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke influenced key American figures, advocating for concepts like natural rights and the social contract, which emphasized the protection of life, liberty, and property. These principles were pivotal in shaping the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Enlightenment ideas promoted skepticism towards authoritarianism and inspired democratic governance, thereby laying the intellectual groundwork for the American Revolution and the establishment of a nation founded on the ideals of liberty and equality under the law.