People of the Enlightenment

Thomas Hobbes English Life without government is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” To escape this kind of life, people needed to give up their rights to the strong and law and order will be achieved. “Social Contract” theory – humans are born naturally selfish and wicked, government exists to control all that. Strong central government

Citizens have the right to overthrow the government when their “natural rights” are violated? Yes No

Man is not born a good or evil person; he becomes one or the other according to his life experiences and the environment in which he lives? Yes No

John Locke English Government exists to “preserve life, liberty, and property (the pursuit of happiness).” Declaration of Independence People can learn from experience and improve themselves. Humans are born with natural rights and can self-govern themselves. Rebellion is OK, if it becomes necessary.

An intelligent person should not accept all religious beliefs An intelligent person should not accept all religious beliefs. We should only accept those beliefs about God that are based on reason and common sense? Yes No

All men should be treated as equals, and should have freedom of speech and freedom of press? Yes No

Voltaire French Life is better with liberty. He believed that people should never stop fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech. First Amendment of our Constitution Coined the term “separation of church and state.”

When one country increases its military power, so do other countries When one country increases its military power, so do other countries. Therefore, all nations should limit their military forces in order to reduce the threat of war? Yes No

A man is innocent until a jury finds him guilty? Yes No

Baron de Montesquieu French Government should have separate powers. 3 branches of government Checks and Balances One branch doesn’t have any more power then another and they work together to form the perfect government

Social and political reforms must be made before man can be a good person? Yes No

It is unfair that some people are rich while others are poor? Yes No

Jean Jacques Rousseau French Gov’t contract between people and rulers is what people want Individual freedom Constitutions or Declarations of… Too much freedom equals less individual freedom That is why we have laws and documents A good government was one that was freely formed by the people and guided by the general will of society – Democracy!!

Cesare Bonesana Beccaria Italian Laws exist to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes. No more “off with your head” Capital punishment should be abolished and people have the right to a speedy trial 6th Amendment 8th Amendment of the US Constitution Government should seek the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Mary Wollstonecraft French Women need education to become useful. Being more educated would also make them better mothers. More thoughtfulness and less violence = better control Women should be a part of politics Vote, hold offices, be on the same playing field

1. People are greedy and selfish Locke Wollstonecraft Voltaire Hobbes

2. People have natural rights 2. People have natural rights. The government exists to protect those rights and people have the right to overthrow the government. Voltaire Rousseau Locke Hobbes

3. “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains” Locke Hobbes Rousseau Montesquieu

4. The powers of government should be separate. Locke Hobbes Voltaire Montesquieu

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Locke Hobbes Voltaire Rousseau