Democracy in Action! What are some examples when you have participated in a democratic process? (When have you had the chance to vote for something you wanted?)

The Enlightenment: Key Ideas “I am the state” “It is legal because I wish it.” The Enlightenment was a time period in European history when people began using logical reasoning to create their governments. Enlightenment ideas included: The belief that people have natural rights that cannot be taken away by the government The belief that citizens of a country should have freedom of speech The belief that there should be a separation of powers within the government. These three beliefs led to the creation of DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS!

The Enlightenment Philosophers Important thinkers of the Enlightenment HATED the idea of a dictatorship—they did not want one king or one leader to have all of the power. John Locke believed that people should be able to choose their leaders. He also believed that leaders should protect the natural rights of the people. If the leader failed to do this, Locke argued that the people should overthrow that leader! ACT IT OUT: “Locke—natural rights!” Voltaire was the philosopher who promoted the idea of freedom of speech. He believed that all people had the right to share their ideas and beliefs without the threat of punishment. ACT IT OUT: “Voltaire—freedom of speech!” Charles de Montesquieu believed that there should be a separation of power within the government so that no one person in the government has too much power. ACT IT OUT: “Montesquieu—separation of powers!”