The Enlightenment Era, beginning in Europe was the primary philosophy that filtered over to the Americas after colonialism. This was also referred to as The Age of Reason because the philosophers stressed the concept of reason and scientific, objective thought. Also, they stressed the ability of natural laws to function in society- that laws governed everything.   European writers such as John Locke and Jean Rosseau encouraged American thinkers like Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington to use this new philosophy to shape their new government. This literary trend made the basis of American government. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are both seeped with Enlightenment philosophy.  Writing during this period was mostly political, with dominating authors like Thomas Paine, Jefferson, and others. These federalists dominated American the political as well as literary scene during the federalists age.