Key Thinkers of the Enlightenment Rousseau Locke Smith Hobbs Voltaire Montesquieu

Thomas Hobbs

Thomas Hobbs Believed: People were naturally selfish and greedy To avoid chaos people must give up their natural rights (freedom) to a powerful government that will ensure order Only a powerful government with complete control over the people could suppress rebellion and ensure orderly society

John Locke

John Locke Believed: People were generally good and moral Felt people had natural rights belonging to them from birth (life, liberty, and freedom) Government has the responsibility to protect those rights People have the right to change a government that fails to protect those natural rights

Baron de Montesquieu

Baron de Montesquieu Believed: The powers of government should be separated into executive, legislative, and judicial branches Each branch of government will serve as a check to the other two Separation of powers is the best way to protect liberty

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Believed: People are basically good but became corrupted by society In an ideal society, people would make the laws and obey them willingly The good of the community as a whole should be placed above individual interests

Voltaire

Voltaire Believed: People have a natural right to freedom of speech “I do not agree with a word that you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it”

Adam Smith

Adam Smith Believed: Natural forces of supply and demand should be allowed to operate and regulate business The marketplace was better off without government regulation (Laissez faire)

Mary Wollstonecraft

Mary Wollstonecraft Believed: Women, like men, need education to become virtuous and useful Urged women to enter the male-dominated fields of medicine and politics

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