1. The Enlightenment Influences Montesquieu & Locke

2. SS.7.C.1.1: Recognize How Enlightenment Ideas Including Montesquieu’s View of Separation of Power and John Locke’s Theories Related to Natural Law and the Social Contract Influenced the Founding Fathers

3. The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment (or Age of Reason) is an era from the 1620’s to the 1780’s in which cultural and intellectual forces in Western Europe emphasized reason, analysis, and individualism rather than traditional lines of authority.

4. The Enlightenment

5. John Locke – Natural Rights
People are born with natural rights (IDEA KNOWN AS NATURAL LAW)
Rights to life, liberty and property.

6. John Locke – Social Contract
Social Contract - People give up some rights in order to be protected by government. If government fails to protect people’s natural rights, people have a right to overthrow it.

7. John Locke – Social Contract

8. John Locke – Social Contract
Social Contract – people enter into an “agreement” with the government and must give up the right to do certain things, but they get back protection from the government.

9. John Locke – Influence on the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
Natural Rights
Social Contract
Life, liberty & property
Unalienable Rights
Consent of the governed
Life, liberty & pursuit of happiness

10. Baron de Montesquieu
Believed government power should be divided into branches – Separation of Powers
Each branch of government should be able to limit power of other 2 branches, creating a balanced government

11. Montesquieu – Separation of Powers

12. Montesquieu – Separation of Powers
Legislative Makes Laws
Executive Executes (enforces) the Law
Judicial Interprets the Law

13. Montesquieu – Influence?
Executive – President – Enforces Laws
Legislative – Congress – Makes Laws
Judicial - Supreme Court – Interprets Laws

14. Montesquieu / Locke Review
The Enlightenment –was a time of learning, knowledge and philosophy
John Locke:
Natural Law
Social Contract
Influenced the Declaration of Independence
Montesquieu:
Separation of Powers / Checks and Balances