Who is in the picture

Use the passage to answer the question. we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness . . –the declaration of independence which enlightenment thinker most directly influenced the notion expressed in this passage? thomas hobbes baron de montesquieu jacques bossuet john locke

One specific historical event or development during the period 1786-1861?

When conducting research for forming a hypothesis, which practice should historians follow?