1. The Enlightenment
Philosophers

2. The Enlightenment
European movement ( ’s) in which thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society.
AKA “The Age of Reason”
Characteristics:
Applied reason to the human world (governments, laws, economies) not just the natural world (science).
Led to religious tolerance
Led to democratic revolutions

3. English Philosophers

4. Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes
English philosopher
Social Contract
Lived through the English Civil War and thought it showed how terrible man could be
Said people must have a strong king to control their worst instincts and that people must give that king certain freedoms in exchange for order.
He called this exchange of freedom for order a SOCIAL CONTRACT

5. Thomas Hobbes Cont. Beliefs:
Natural state of man is war/competition, not cooperation
Strong central government needed to keep order
Supported Absolute Monarchy (rule of a strong king/queen)
Supported a social contract (Agreement between the government and the governed)

6. John Locke Famous Work: Two Treatises on Government Beliefs:
Government’s power comes from the people.
Government’s job is to protect people and their rights.
Did NOT support Absolute Monarchy
People are born free and equal with three Natural Rights:
Life
Liberty
Property
Greatly inspired Thomas Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence.

7. French “Philosophes”

8. Baron de Montesquieu Famous Work: The Spirit of Laws Beliefs:
Government should include separation of powers:
Legislative Branch – Makes laws
Executive Branch – Enforces laws
Judicial Branch – Interprets laws

9. Separation of Power

10. Jean Jacques Rousseau Famous Work: The Social Contract Beliefs:
Government is a contract between people and their rulers.
Rulers are elected by the people, and all people are equal.
People must agree to give government some authority in exchange for protection of their rights.

11. Voltaire Famous Work: Candide Beliefs:
Religious tolerance and freedom of religion – 1st Amendment to U.S. Constitution
Separation of church and state (government) – U.S. Constitution
Freedom of speech - 1st Amendment to U.S. Constitution

12. The Enlightenment
Philosophies of the enlightenment fueled revolutions in the Americas and France