U.S HISTORY Ms. Ramirez Foundations of American Political and Social Thought The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment

California Content Standards 11.1 Students analyze the significant events in the founding of the nation and its attempt to realize the philosophy of government described in the Declaration of Independence 1. Describe the Enlightenment and the rise of democratic ideas as the context in which the nation was founded

Foundations of Democracy Originated in ancient Greek city-states 2,500 yrs ago Magna Carta (1215)- Forced King John to guarantee certain civil and political freedoms.

Petition of Right Petition of Right (1626)- Parliament forced Charles I to sign this document, limiting the power of monarchy. Protections against Imprisonment without jury trial Implementation of martial law during peacetime Mandatory quartering of troops Taxation without parliament approval

English Bill of Rights (1689) Forbade crown from suspending or passing laws Forbade raising taxes without Parliament’s consent Guaranteed the right to a fair and speedy trial Forbade cruel and unusual punishment

ENLIGHTENMENT THINKERS Valued reason, science, religious tolerance & natural rights as the key to improving society. Argued that Democracy will improve human condition Were not concerned with religion or afterlife

Wrote “The Leviathan” to defend the absolute power of the king THOMAS HOBBES (1588-1679) Wrote “The Leviathan” to defend the absolute power of the king Leviathan = Government, a powerful state created to impose order

Thomas Hobbes State of Nature- We are all equal, free to do what we need to survive No laws or anyone to enforce them Individuals create a supreme power to impose peace People give power to a sovereign to enforce laws & create security.

Thomas Hobbes Monarchy best form of government. People had NO RIGHT to revolt against the king

John Locke (1632-1704) right to life, liberty, and property 1. NATURAL RIGHTS- exist in State of Nature & cannot be taken away or be given up right to life, liberty, and property Rights are inalienable (impossible to surrender)

John Locke (1632-1704) Natural Rights Limit the Power of the King King had NO ABSOLUTE POWER King acts as an enforcer of laws & protects peoples rights If rights are violated, the king could be overthrown

John Locke (1632-1704) Right to property was the most important Government only necessary to promote ‘PUBLIC GOOD’ Supreme authority UNDER legislature Jefferson used his theories in the Declaration of Independence

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) Humans are good, but the society in which they live is corrupt and bad Ownership of property corrupts people and results in inequality, murder, and war Social Contract was a fraud against the people committed by the rich

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) Individuals should not give up their natural rights to a king, but to the WHOLE COMMUNITY DIRECT DEMOCRACY BEST- everyone votes All political power in the hands of the people- No Separation of Powers Rousseau’s general will are embodied in the words “We the people…” at the beginning of the Constitution

Montesquieu: (1689-1755) In ‘state of nature’ individuals avoid violence and war Need for food creates societies State of War leads to Laws and Government Main purpose of government- Maintain law & order, political liberty and property

Montesquieu: (1689-1755) A republic best form of government Opposed ABSOLUTE MONARCHY Favored BALANCE OF POWERS or SEPARATION OF POWERS within government Prototype for “checks and balances”

Montesquieu: (1689-1755) Acknowledged British Constitution as the BEST example of government: King (enforced laws) Parliament (elected, made laws) Judges of the English courts (interpreted laws) Americans adopted this system in the U.S. Constitution

CST Related Questions 1. What effect did the Enlightenment have on political thought in the colonies? COLONISTS BEGAN TO QUESTION THE AUTHORITY OF THE BRITISH MONARCHY 2. The Declaration of Independence elaborates on which Enlightenment idea? NATURAL RIGHTS

CST Related Questions 3. Use the following information to complete the statement “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” --The Declaration of Independence The idea included in the excerpt from the Declaration of Independence can be attributed to: John Locke b. Montesquieu c. Voltaire d. Jean-Jacques Rousseau