Enlightened Minds & Revolutionaries! Unit 1 Section 1 Historical Figures

ESSENTIAL QUESTION Explain how the ideas of the Enlightenment made their way into the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution.

1. John Locke John Locke was an English philosopher who popularized the idea of Natural Rights (life, liberty, property) or rights that were given at birth Influenced Voltaire, Rousseau, and our Founding Fathers. His writings influenced the French and American Revolutions.

1. John Locke Wrote about the idea of checks and balances in government. Believed that revolution was not only a right but an obligation in some cases. His ideas greatly impacted the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

2. Thomas Jefferson Principal author of the Declaration of Independence Inspired by John Locke Promoted the idea of Republicanism Republicanism: form of government in which power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote Portion of the draft of the Declaration that Jefferson would ultimately present to his contemporaries

2. Thomas Jefferson 3rd President of the United States Expanded US territory through the Louisiana Purchase Ordered the Lewis & Clark Expedition "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and of human knowledge that has ever been gathered together at the White House—with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.“—John F. Kennedy

3. Baron Montesquieu French political scientist and Enlightenment thinker, wrote The Spirit of the Laws. Believed that women could be the head of governments and was opposed to slavery. Credited with the concept of Separation of Powers.

3. Baron Montesquieu Believed that governmental powers should be divided into three branches that were equal in power: legislative, executive, and judicial Was considered radical because it went against the French Monarchy and called for the end of feudalism.

4. Jean Jacques Rousseau Philosopher, Enlightenment thinker, political scientist who influenced the French Revolution. Wrote “The Social Contract” and “Principles of Political Right.” Believed that human nature was essentially good if in a state of nature but that men were corrupted by society. "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One man thinks himself the master of others, but remains more of a slave than they."

4. Jean Jacques Rousseau According to Rousseau, by joining together into a civil society through the social contract and abandoning their claims of natural right, individuals can both preserve themselves and remain free. He believed that if people obeyed the general will they would be protected and society would be civil because they are collectively the authors of the law (and make up the general will). The Social Contract