1. Enlightenment

2. Vocabulary Reason—the use of scientific and logical thinking
Enlightenment—a time in history when thinkers began to use reason and scientific thinking applied to government and society.
Natural law—a law that applied to everyone
Tabula rasa—a “blank slate” or blank mind. John Locke believed that people were born with a blank slate and their experiences shaped their thoughts.

3. Vocabulary continued
Natural rights—the rights belonging to all humans from birth—life, liberty, property
Social contract—an agreement between the citizens and their ruler.
Declaration of Independence—the document that established the independence of the 13 American Colonies from English rule
Philosophes—French thinkers, French for philosopher

4. Vocabulary—final page
Separation of powers—a division of power among the branches of government
Checks and Balances—a system within the government that limits and controls each branch so that one does not have too much power
Civic Virtue—one’s duty as a citizen

6. Thomas Hobbes--1651 Man is basically born evil
Did not believe in individual rights
Strong government is essential for order—supported absolutism
Ruler must be obeyed even if he/she is bad

8. John Locke--1690 Government is essential for order
Man is born with a tabula rasa—blank slate
Believed in individual rights—life, property, liberty
Must have order but ruler must govern fairly
If ruler is unfair, find a new ruler
Men have ability to reason and will make right decisions if given rights

10. Baron de Montesquieu--1748
Believed in importance of separation of powers of government
No one part of government should have more power than another
System of checks and balances

12. Jean Jaques Rousseau--1762
Believed that man is basically good and that civilization corrupts him
A sharing of values, called “general will” held a governed people together
Majority should rule or govern
Wrote a book called “Social Contract”

14. Voltaire 1778 Believed man was basically good
All people should have freedom to express their opinions
Freedom of speech and religion
All people equal before government
Strong opponent of slave trade