It was heavily influenced by 17th-century philosophers such as Descartes, Locke, and Newton, and its prominent exponents include Kant, Goethe, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Adam Smith. These Enlightenment ideas included self-government and direct voting of government officials spread throughout the colonies. This idea made more people want to be independent and start a new government instead of being under the British. Since more people wanted independence more Patriots were created, or more people sided against the king. Throughout the Enlightenment education was emphasized which made the colonies emphasize education. Since education was emphasize more people could read than ever before. The increase in literate people made more people able to read about loyalist views and patriot views. People were also reading about how to create communication ‘technology.’ Communication ‘technology evolves to allow for the rapid spreading of ideas. This rapid spreading of ideas creates more people choosing a side throughout the colonies which can create more tension between Britain and the colonies. This spread of ideas was even able to go across the ocean and reach