1. The Enlightenment

2. Enlightenment
Period called “the Enlightenment” was a new intellectual movement inspired by the scientific revolution
Also known as the Age of Reason
Major influence on the ideas of fairness and equality that underlie the French and American revolutions

3. Two views on government
Two major English thinkers
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Opposite views of the nature of man
Hobbes very pessimistic about man’s prospects
Locke very positive

4. Hobbes’ View on Human Nature
He saw first hand the horrors of the English Civil War
Believed that all men were by nature selfish and wicked
Life was “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”

5. Hobbes’ View on Government
Social contract: “deal you make with the government” (coined by Rousseau)
According to Hobbes, you give up your rights in exchange for law and order
Ruler needs total power to keep citizens under control

6. Hobbes’ social contract
Best government is an absolute monarchy
Key difference: people choose to have an absolute monarchy in Hobbes’ world
Government’s power comes from the consent of the people
Famous work: Leviathan (1651)
What is a leviathan? A sea monster with awesome and inspiring power

7. John Locke
Locke lived in exile in Holland and met William of Orange and his wife Mary
Came back to England with William and Mary, saw the Glorious Revolution firsthand
Believed people were good at heart and would act in the best interest of all
People were reasonable

8. John Locke All people born free and equal with three natural rights:
Life
Liberty
Property
Purpose of government is to protect those rights
If the government fails to do this, people have the right to overthrow it
Basic idea behind the French and American revolutions