1. The French

2. France 1650-1789 Louis XIV The “Sun King” famous for his extravagance. An absolute monarch, controlled all aspects of the French government. The Rich get Richer Huge disparity in wealth, 2% of the population held 98% of the wealth. Salons Encouraged by Louis XIV, hosted by aristocratic women, thinkers came to discuss the problems of the nation. Brought in thinkers like Locke and scientists like Isaac Newton.

3. Charles-Louis Montesquieu Bio b. 1689-d. 1750 A Baron, drew a lot of inspiration from Locke. An amateur sociologist, spent years gathering data on different cultures. Writings The Spirit of Laws, 1748 Ideas Focused on the separation of power and checks and balances. Did not single out one type of government as the best. Different forms were better in different situations.

4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau Bio b. 1712-d. 1778 Born in Switzerland, apprenticed as an engraver before moving to France to be a musician and composer. Became friends with other philosophers like, Diderot and gained fame after he won an essay competition. Writings Emile, 1762 The Social Contract, 1762 Ideas Argued the progression of science and arts had lead to corruption of virtue and morality. Government must exist to protect the free will of man Humans are inherently good and a return to nature will foster this. Individual will benefits the general will.

5. Voltaire Bio b. 1694- d. 1778 Born Francois-Marie Arouet, a playwright, known for his wit and satire. Exiled to England, became friends with Locke and Newton. Wrote over 60 plays and novels and countless poems and letters. Writings Candide, 1759 Ideas A Deist, called Christianity a “glorified superstition.” Supported the monarchy and worked for judicial reform. Valued reason over superstition and intolerance. Used satire to criticize without drawing legal fire.

6. Denis Diderot Bio b. 1713-d. 1784 Writer and philosopher, spent most of his life collecting and editing the Encyclopedie, an attempt to catalogue all of human knowledge. Writings Encyclopedie, 1751-1772 Ideas The Encyclopedie collected the writings and ideas of Enlightenment thinkers to allow people to form their own opinions on government and religion. A scientist, posited origins of life without divine intervention Materialist philosophy, matter is the only thing that exists