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

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

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.”

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

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

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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

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