1. The Enlightenment

2. Essential Question
How did the ideas of the Scientific Revolution influence new ideas about government?

3. What was the Enlightenment?
Philosophers began to apply reason and logic to human affairs.
They believed they could create a perfect society by asking questions about the government.

4. Who was John Locke? The earliest enlightenment thinker
Locke argued that all people are born with natural rights

5. What are natural rights?
Rights to life, liberty, and personal property that no government can take away
If government does not protect people’s rights, they have a right to form a new government

6. What did Baron de Montesquieu believe about government?
A balanced government would prevent a ruler from becoming too powerful
An ideal government should have 3 branches

7. Why was the Enlightenment important?
The ideas became the foundation for the world’s 1st democratic government – The United States

8. Name this quote for extra credit: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all 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”