1. THE ENLIGHTENMENT A Brighter world as described by people with wigs

2. JOHN LOCKE Major Work—Two Treatises of Government People are reasonable and born with NATURAL RIGHTS SOCIAL CONTRACT— government is formed by the people to protect their natural rights. People obey some laws in return If rights are not protected, people should destroy the government and start again Believed in government with limited power accepted by all citizens

3. Jean Jacques Rousseau Major work—”the Social Contract” Believed that people are naturally good It is society (especially inequality) that corrupts people Social contract—people give up some freedoms in favor of the common good as decided by a freely chosen government Trust in the General Will –The good of the community is more important than the individual

4. BARON de MONTESQUIEU Major work—Spirit of the laws The only way to keep government stable was to split into three branches --- executive, legislative and judicial Three branches could have checks and balances to keep one from taking over Believed in a limited monarchy with a parliament

5. THOMAS HOBBES Major Work—Leviathan People naturally cruel, greedy and selfish Life in the “state of nature” (no laws) would be “nasty Brutish and Short” Social Contract—people give up the state of nature in return for organization Believed in absolute monarchy as the way to keep people from being their vile selves

6. VOLTAIRE “I do not believe in a word that you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” Believed in Free speech and freedom of religion

7. DIDEROT Major work— Encyclopedia 28 volume archive of the works of enlightenment thinkers

8. MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT Major work—Vindication of the Rights of Women Believed women were left out of the social contract Being wives and mothers was most important, but women should choose that Believed in equal educational opportunity for women