How did enlightenment thinkers influence the historical development of the west?

The Enlightenment movement hugely influenced the west, especially the United States and the Founding Fathers. The system of checks and balances as well as the the separation of power into legislative, judicial and executive branches come from the Enlightenment writers. The famous line from the Declaration of Independence "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"  was inspired by the writings of Locke and his saying of "Life, Liberty and Property" as we can see.