Intellectuals dedicated to changing and reforming society Often disagreed with each other: ex. Hobbes & Locke but all championed people’s rights for input into the actions of their government… BIG NEW IDEA at time. All mention a “ social contract ” between people and government

Thomas Hobbes – Leviathan (1651) argued for strong central government to maintain order; believed absolute power of government was important to maintain order Worried by revolutionary upheavals Felt that people were motivated by ruthless struggle for self-preservation thought that people made a social contract with the state in order to preserve order in society

Wrote Two Treatises on Government (1690) and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) argued for a separation of church and state, argued for natural human rights of freedom and independence, felt that people had a right to life, health, liberty, and possessions (property)… Felt that a representative civil society was the best way to ensure that, and that government was a social contract between representatives and people human mind is a “tabula rasa ” blank slate, human identity is “subjective” rather than fixed and objective. … meaning that all could learn and grow!

Voltaire (Francios-Marie Arouet) , worked in France, the center of Enlightenment thought Championed individual freedom, critical of monarchies, Worried about religious tyranny, wrote Treatise on Toleration (1763), “all men are brothers under God” In challenging the French monarchy, he wrote “it would be more effective to get rid of the asses who rode horses” Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws (1748), Three different kinds of government (republic, despots, monarchies) Best kind of monarchal government (constitutional) and advocated separation of powers in government, “balance of powers” ideal (between judicial, legislative, and executive)… heavily influential to our own constitution

Jean Jacques Rousseau – the best exploration of the social contract idea Suggested that people had become enslaved by government Suggested that the best way for everyone to regain freedom meant that governments must be restored according to a social contract between it and the “general will of the people”, The Social Contract (1762) People had a right to assert general will by force if necessary - REVOLT For the public good, all people’s best interests, all people must submit to the general will … so some had to give up certain independent freedoms

Thomas Jefferson - Declaration of Independence, 1776, big supporter of States rights in his interpretation of the Constitution, Thomas Paine, pamphlet, Common Sense, Adam Smith – 1776, economics, Wealth of Nations - best government approach to economics was a laissez faire, capitalist “hands off” approach to the market

Seven General beliefs of Enlightenment Philosophers 1. Equality before the law 2. Freedom of religious worship 3. Freedom of speech 4. Freedom on the press 5. Right to assemble 6. Hold property 7. Pursue Happiness (Jefferson) American Revolution, begins 1775, (begins due to heavy taxation and unfair representation after the Brits and Colonialists fight the 7 year’s war, French Indian War) - “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” - American Declaration of Independence, 1776 First government was under the “Articles of Confederation” ratified by 1781 ** Directly influenced our Bill of Rights

The US Constitution (ratified, 1787) Separation of powers (Legislative, Judicial, Executive … Montesquieu) Separation of Church and State Concern over the power of central authority Our constitution limits the power of the federal government with many rights and authority granted to states and localities to make laws Ex. No real federal education policy - Local school districts and states decide most of education policy (i.e., the Virginia SOLs) and course offerings States have the right to set state tax laws, make marriage laws, etc., etc.

1. How are Jefferson and Locke’s ideas related? 2. Who gave us the idea to separate powers in the constitution? 3. What was the name of document that established our first government? 4. Which enlightenment thinker suggested that we should revolt if our governments are unfair or do not represent us? 5. What war preceded our war for independence from Britain? 6. Which philosopher wrote about religious toleration? 7. List 2 general beliefs of enlightenment philosophers. 8. Argue a point: Do you think the Enlightenment’s ideals have been realized in modern America? Explain.