1. Enlightenment
Element: Identify the major ideas of the Enlightenment from the writings of Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau and their relationship to politics and society.
Vocabulary: Enlightenment, Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau

2. Enlightenment a period which produced new ideas about government
Newton discovered natural laws governing the universe
many believed there were natural laws governing politics, economics, and other aspects of society as well

3. John Locke Writings: “Second Treatise on Government”
In a natural state all people are equal and independent, and none have a right to harm another’s “life, health, liberty, or possessions.”

4. John Locke: Ideas
knowledge and worldview comes from one’s environment and experiences
reason above simple faith
people could be changed by altering their surroundings

5. John Locke: Ideas
challenged the old view that monarchs possess a God-given right to rule
people were born with natural rights that included life, liberty, and property
For the good of society, people give up certain freedoms and empower governments to maintain order
citizens have the right to replace any government that fails to serve the public good

6. Stop and Think!
How do you think these ideas might influence politics and society?

7. John Locke: Impact fundamental to US Declaration of Independence
influenced Thomas Jefferson, “life, liberty and the pursuit of hapiness”

8. Voltaire Writings: “On Intolerance”
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”
“I may not like what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”

9. Voltaire: Ideas known for his criticism of Christianity
belief in religious toleration
championed deism, an eighteenth-century religious philosophy based on reason and natural law
Deists believe the world is like a clock that God created and set according to his natural laws, and then let run without his intervention

10. Stop and Think!
How do you think Voltaire’s ideas might influence society and politics?

11. Voltaire: Impact
guaranteed in US Bill of Rights and French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
European Monarchs reduce persecution

12. Jean Jacques Rousseau Writing: “The Social Contract”
“No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.”

13. Jean Jacques Rousseau: Ideas
argued that the general will of the people acted as a “social contract”
Everyone, citizens and the government, should abide by this agreement
In other words, the government should reflect the will of the people

14. Stop and Think!
How do you think Rousseau’s ideas might influence politics and society?

15. Jean Jacques Rousseau: Impact
inspired many of the leaders of the French Revolution who overthrew the monarchy in 1789
influenced socialism, and nationalism

16. Effects of the Enlightenment
a growing belief in progress
a more secular outlook
the growing importance of the individual
a period of Revolutions