6 Famous Thinkers

John Locke

People have the ability to reason. Natural rights: life, liberty & property Governments should protect those rights 3 branches of gov’t If government abuses power, people have right to rebel and form a new government. John Locke

Jean Jacque Rousseau

People are born good, independent, & compassionate. If left on their own, they will be happy and peaceful. In Switzerland, male citizens could vote directly. Direct Democracy was ideal Even a republic was corrupt. Jean Jacque Rousseau

Baron de Montesquieu

Women can contribute important things to govt. Limited monarchy makes a country most stable and secure. States should be kept small so everyone can play a role in government. separation of powers--different branches of govt. Baron de Montesquieu

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson Wrote the Declaration of Independence applied John Locke’s ideas “unalienable rights” government’s power comes from the consent of the governed all men are created equal Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence

“…All men are created equal…they are endowed…certain unalienable rights…Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness… whenever a Government becomes destructive…, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it….”

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

de la Santísima Trinidad Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y Blanco Simon Bolivar

the “George Washington of South America” helped Venezuela gain independence from Spain spread democracy throughout Latin America influenced by the Enlightenment, Greece, and Rome Simon Bolivar

James Madison

Father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights spent a year reading Locke, Montesquieu, and Voltaire to prepare power should be divided: three branches federal system James Madison

Which thinker supported having a king and/or queen, but wanted to limit their power? Which ideas from the thinkers to you see today? Which thinker believed that people have the right to rebel against the government if mistreated? Why is this important? What is the central belief of democracy? Which thinker had a major influence on Jefferson and Madison?