1. The Enlightenment
(1700s)

2. The Enlightenment was the period in European history when reason (logic) was used to understand and improve society. In fact, the Enlightenment is often called the “Age of Reason.”

3. Key ideas: Enlightenment philosophers believed that:
society could be improved by using reason (logic) and natural law
Governments receive their power from the people (NOT from God).
The best form of government was a democracy/republic (where the people have a say)
The Enlightenment & the Scientific Revolution both encouraged the spread of new ideas and the use of reason

4. Thomas Hobbes Famous work: Famous Quotes: Main ideas: Leviathan, 1651
“The right of nature…is the liberty each man
hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life.”
“The only way to erect such a common power which may defend them…is to confer all their power and strength upon one man…”
Main ideas:
People are bad
Absolute government is needed

5. John Locke Famous work: Famous Quotes: Main ideas:
Two Treatises on Government, 1689
Famous Quotes:
“All mankind…being equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possession.”
“Political power is that power which every man…has given up into the hands of society…”
Main ideas:
Natural rights: life, liberty, & property
Government exists to protect natural rights
Republic is the best form of government

6. Charles de Montesquieu
Famous work:
The Spirit of Laws, 1748
Famous Quotes:
“When the legislature & executive are united in the same person…there can be no liberty…” 
“Power should be a check to power.”
Main ideas:
Separation of powers (Executive, Legislative, Judicial)
Checks and balances

7. Jean Jacques Rousseau Famous work: Famous Quotes: Main ideas:
The Social Contract, 1762
Famous Quotes:
“We, the contracting parties, do jointly and severally submit our persons and abilities to the supreme direction of the general will of all…”
“Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”
Main ideas:
Government is a social contract between the people and the ruler(s)
The government must preserve “virtue” and “liberty” or the people will overthrow it

8. Mary Wollstonecraft Famous work: Famous Quotes: Main ideas:
A Vindication for the Rights of Women, 1792
Famous Quotes:
“Educate women like men and the more power women will have.”
“I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.”
Main ideas:
Women’s equality & education

9. Voltaire Famous work: Famous Quotes: Main ideas: 1792
“It is dangerous to be right, when the government is wrong.”
“I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.”
Main ideas:
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Separation of Church and State

10. Key effects:
Since Enlightenment philosophers believed that people can overthrow unfair governments, the Enlightenment helped cause political revolutions in France, Latin America, and the United States