1. Enlightenment Thinkers

2. Philosophers: Thought on political, equality & popular sovereignty =
the interests of educated & talented men who wanted to increase their influence and enhance their status in society
Limit elite/ aristocratic society
HOWEVER, did not want to share political rights with women, children, peasants, laborers, slaves, or colored people

3. John Locke ( )

5. Popular Sovereignty Natural rights to life, liberty & property
Rulers derived their authority from the consent of those whom they governed
man has the right to overthrow a ruler who does not protect those rights
Locke relocated sovereignty
Removed it from rulers and gave it to the people

6. Blank Slate Theory = Locke
Individuals are born without built-in mental contact and that their knowledge comes from experience and perception.

8. Voltaire ( )

9. Individual Freedom
Religious tolerance
Freedom of speech

10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

11. Political & Legal Equality
Noble Savage – men were good, society messed them up.
Wanted to reform EDUCATION (universal)
Social Contract
Ideal society = all individuals would participate daily in creating the laws
General will of the people would carry the day

12. Montesquieu ( )

13. Separation of Government
Developed the theory of separation of governmental powers
Checks and balances

14. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Rejects free will
Nature of society– all men are bad
men must give up some personal freedom in order to have a peaceful society with a strong ruler
Rejects free will