The Enlightenment
Enlightenment Thinkers believed in natural law Objects in nature were expected to act in ways that were predictable.
Enlightenment Rationalism: The belief that truth can be determined by logical thinking.
Enlightenment Philosophes: Thinkers of the Enlightenment, critics of society.
John Locke English philosophe Believed in private property Against taxation without representation
John Locke Believed people had the right to change their gov’t if it became oppressive
Denis Diderot Editor of the first encyclopedia 28 volumes covering almost every possible subject
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Published The Social Contract Believed people are naturally good, but are corrupted by their environment, education, and laws
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Popular sovereignty: gov’t is created and controlled by people
Baron de Montesquieu Published The Spirit of the Laws Tried to describe the perfect gov’t
Believed Great Britain had the best Baron de Montesquieu Believed Great Britain had the best 3 branches Checks and balances
Voltaire Was against monarchy, nobility, and religious controls of the church Supporter of the British political system
Voltaire Believed in religious freedom and freedom of thought