THE ENLIGTENMENT

Enlightenment In the 1700’s W. European thinkers began to apply Rationality and Objectivity to Human Society

Enlightenment Philosophes = Philosopher Salons- places where the nobility had parties w/ the Philosophers Philosophes = Philosopher

John Locke Government is a deal (Social Contract) All governments should provide “Life, Liberty, and Property” Bad government should be overthrown

John Locke Second Treatise on Civil Government, 1690.

“Rulers receive the right to govern from the people.” “Men have not only a right to get out of a failed government, but to prevent it.” LOCKE

Montesquieu-Spirit of the Law Separation of Powers Legislature- makes laws Executive- enforces laws Judiciary-judges laws Checks and Balances

MONTESQUIEU “Again, there is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.”

Freedom of Speech, religion, reason, tolerance VOLTAIRE Reason Deism: God is Nature Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech, religion, reason, tolerance

Letters Concerning the English Nation- 1726

“I disagree with what you say, however I shall defend to the death your right to say it.” “All men should be treated as equals and have freedom of speech and the press.” VOLTAIRE

Jean Jacques Rousseau Civilization corrupts people’s natural goodness Governments should rule by General Will Democracy The Social Contract

ROUSSEAU “Through this Social Contract, man maintains as many of the freedoms he received from nature as possible.”

Adam Smith Laissez-Faire economics “The invisible hand” Capitalism Supply and demand The Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith “Without government inference] the obvious and simple system of natural liberty establishes itself of its own accord. “

Mary Wollstonecraft Women’s Equality- A Vindication of the Rights of Women

Mary Wollstonecraft “To render [make] mankind more virtuous, and happier of course, both sexes must act from the same principle;… women must be allowed to found their virtue on knowledge, which is scarcely possible unless they be educated by the same pursuits [studies] as men”