1. The Enlightenment Thinkers
Fill in your chart with these facts as we go through the notes.

2. Basics Vocab Natural Rights Separation of Powers Philosopher-King
Rights that all humans are given at birth
Separation of Powers
The idea that governments should have more than one person in charge to make sure things are equal.
Philosopher-King
Plato’s idea of the perfect ruler who would be trained and educated in Philosophy before becoming a king.

3. Quick Review
What is the difference between an absolute monarch and a limited monarch?
What is the difference between a direct democracy and an indirect democracy (also called a representative democracy)?

4. Aristotle

5. Add to your Basics Vocab
Aristotle – Greek philosopher who argued that democracy was the least dangerous form of government (if everyone was educated and power was held by the middle class)
His second preferred type of government was a king guided by a group of philosophers.

6. Aristotle Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons/Beliefs
Can People Govern?
King with Philosophers
Democracy ruled by Middle Class
Unrealistic for all citizens to be educated
Therefore a King should rule w/guidance of philosophers
NO – Unless they are educated

7. Queen Elizabeth I

8. Basics Vocab
Queen Elizabeth I – 16th century monarch who believed monarchs should be thought of as a parent of their people, and have nearly absolute control.

9. Queen Elizabeth I No Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons/Beliefs
Can People Govern?
Wants Absolute Monarchy but has Limited Monarchy
Divine Right—believed God gave her authority to rule
Believed each person is born into their proper place in society
She thought she was the mother of the people No

10. Thomas Hobbes

11. Add to your Basics Vocab…
Thomas Hobbes – 17th century enlightenment thinker who believed that absolute monarchs helped to control chaos in a society

12. Thomas Hobbes No Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons/Beliefs
Can People Govern?
Absolute Monarchy
All humans are naturally wicked
Government protects people from their own selfishness
King/Queen=best form of government No

13. John Locke

14. Add to Basics Vocab
John Locke – 17th century enlightenment thinker who believed that when people are born “good” and all deserve natural rights.
When people are denied their natural rights, “life, liberty, and property”, people have the right to overthrow the government.

15. Yes John Locke Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons/Beliefs
Can People Govern?
Limited Monarchy
King & Queen need limitations
People can make good decisions if they have proper info
People should approve of their leaders
Government should protect individual freedoms & liberties
Natural Rights—Life, Liberty & Property
Yes

16. King Louis XIV

17. Basics Vocab
King Louis XIV – 18th century king of France who believed that he received his authority by Divine Right and was only answerable to God.

18. No King Louis XIV Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons
Can People Govern?
Absolute Monarchy—a ruler with unlimited powers
Divine Right—received authority from God & only has to answer to God.
-Took this belief to the extreme No

19. Baron de Montesquieu

20. Basics Vocab
Baron de Montesquieu – 18th century enlightenment philosopher who believed that government power should be separated (to create equality) and overall controlled by a limited monarch.

21. Baron de Montesquieu Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons
Can People Govern?
Limited Monarchy
Limited powers makes country stable
“Separation of Powers”
Checks & Balances
Yes—but only if they are educated

22. Plato

23. Basics Vocab
Plato – Greek philosopher who argued that government leaders should be chosen by their strengths and talents, not their family line or money.

24. Plato Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons Can People Govern?
Philosopher-King
Talent determines each person’s role in society
Everyone should be educated
Democracy not good = mob rule
No—Only the educated can rule.

25. Jean Jacques Rousseau

26. Basics Vocab
Jean Jacques Rousseau – 18th century enlightenment philosopher who believed that direct democracy was possible because all people are naturally good, and will do what is best for their country.

27. Jean Jacques Rousseau YES!! Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons
Can People Govern?
Direct Democracy
Everyone should vote on EVERYTHING!
Absolute power corrupts everybody.
YES!!

28. Mary Wollstonecraft

29. Basics Vocab
Mary Wollstonecraft – 19th century feminist who argued that women should be equal to men in education, business, and government.
She wanted women to be equal NOT above the men.

30. Mary Wollstonecraft Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons
Can People Govern?
Democracy or any system of Equality
Women should have equal rights in education, business & government
YES

31. James Madison

32. James Madison YES Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons
Can People Govern?
Indirect Democracy (aka Republic or Rep. Democracy)
Believed all people were created equal and should have an equal voice in their government.
Thought a system of checks and balances would guarantee good decisions.
YES

33. Thomas Jefferson

34. YES Thomas Jefferson Ideal Form of Government Main Reasons
Can People Govern?
Indirect Democracy (aka Republic or Rep. Democracy)
Believed all people were created equal and should have an equal voice in their government.
Believed a society of farmers was independent minded.
YES

35. Answer these in your notes
Of the philosophers whose ideas did you like the best? Why?
Whose ideas did you like the least? Why?
Which of the thinkers’ ideas have been the most influential in the modern development of democracy?

36. Draw this chart on the bottom of your notes or on a new sheet of paper Title: Press Conference Matrix
Where do you think the ELEVEN Philosophers line up on the chart of Democracy?
Autocracy
Democracy

37. —Press Conference Matrix
Where do you think the ELEVEN Philosophers line up on the chart of Democracy?
Autocracy
Democracy
Madison
Wollstonecraft
John Locke
King Louis XIV
Queen Elizabeth I
Plato
Aristotle
Thomas Hobbes
Montesquieu
Rousseau
Jefferson