World History

Thomas Hobbes English philosopher ( ) Developed the social contract theory. In earliest history humans lived in complete freedom in a "state of nature“ -no government and no superior power. What people could take by force was theirs – there was no protective authority Humans overcame this unpleasant society by creating the social contract. The state was created by the people to protect the people (popular sovereignty). Believed Monarchy was best Government

Thomas Hobbes Influenced heavily by the horrors of the English Civil War Wrote a book called Leviathan (1651)

John Locke English philosopher ( ) Wrote 2 essays on government. Before there was government, people had "perfect freedom“, but would find their life, liberty, and property threatened by another person's free actions. Locke believed that governments have power because people gave it to them He believed the people have the right to overthrow an unjust government. Locke named the human rights of "life, liberty, and estate (property)” Democracy is best government

Voltaire French philosopher ( ) Published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy Often used satire against his opponents Fought for freedom of religion and freedom of speech “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Montesquieu French philosopher, writer ( ) Devoted himself to the study of political liberty Claimed that Great Britain was the best governed and balanced government Believed in different branches of government (balance) Introduced the concept of “Checks and Balances” Many of his ideas became the basis for the US Constitution

Rousseau Swiss philosopher ( ) Claimed that civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness “Man is born free and everywhere is in chains” Believed in individual freedom Best form of government was a government run by the people- Direct Democracy Government should be run by and for the people

Beccaria Italian Philosopher ( ) Believed that laws exist to preserve the social order, not to avenge crimes Was against torture Believed that the accused had a right to a speedy trial Punishment should be based on the severity of the crime No capital punishment (Death Penalty) Governments should seek the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Mary Wollstonecraft English Philosopher ( ) Believed in the rights of women Wrote A Vindication for the Rights of Woman in 1792 Argued that women, like men, needed education to become virtuous and useful

Major Ideas of the Enlightenment IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property Separation of Powers Freedom of Speech Abolishment of Torture Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property Locke Separation of Powers Freedom of Speech Abolishment of Torture Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Freedom of Speech Abolishment of Torture Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Freedom of Speech Abolishment of Torture Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech Abolishment of Torture Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech Voltaire Abolishment of Torture Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Abolishment of Torture Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Abolishment of Torture Beccaria Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Abolishment of Torture BeccariaGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights (no cruel and unusual punishment) Freedom of Religion Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Abolishment of Torture BeccariaGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights (no cruel and unusual punishment) Freedom of Religion Voltaire Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Abolishment of Torture BeccariaGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights (no cruel and unusual punishment) Freedom of Religion VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Women’s Equality

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Abolishment of Torture Beccaria Guaranteed in US Bill of Rights (no cruel and unusual punishment) Freedom of Religion Voltaire Guaranteed in US Bill of Rights Women’s Equality Wollstonecraft

IdeaThinkerImpact Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property LockeDeclaration of Independence Separation of Powers Montesquieu Separation of powers in US Constitution Freedom of Speech VoltaireGuaranteed in US Bill of Rights Abolishment of Torture Beccaria Guaranteed in US Bill of Rights (no cruel and unusual punishment) Freedom of Religion Voltaire Guaranteed in US Bill of Rights Women’s Equality Wollstonecraft Women’s rights groups (right to vote etc.)