ON THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY Enlightenment ON THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY

1. Vocabulary Enlightenment – an intellectual European movement emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition Feudalism – powerful local lords dividing their land among the lesser lords Parliament – British legislature Natural rights – rights that belong to all people at birth

2. Greek Philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle Focused on goodness and standards of human behavior Socrates encouraged people to think for themselves, use reason Plato argued all people are born equal Aristotle believed the middle class should rule

3. English Influences Magna Carta Parliament created in 1200s Lords forced the king to sign Gave rights to barons (land owners) & church Declared the monarch must obey the law Parliament created in 1200s 2 bodies: House of Commons (knights & middle class) & House of Lords (nobles & clergy) Civil War to Glorious Revolution to English Bill of Rights William & Mary forced to sign in 1689

4. Scientific Revolution Using reason to figure out science Would work for social and political issues as well. Use science and reason to solve societal problems.

5. Thomas Hobbes People are naturally greedy & selfish. “Social Contract” An agreement of people where they give up their freedom for an organized society. Powerful gov’t. is necessary Absolute monarchy is best.

6. John Locke People are reasonable, moral & deserve natural rights Life, liberty, & property People form gov’t. to protect natural rights Limited gov’t. accepted by all people is best. Gov’t. has an obligation to it’s people People have a right to overthrow gov’t.

7. Philosophes French philosophers Baron de Montesquieu – gov’t. should be split into 3 equal branches System of checks & balances Voltaire – freedom of thought & speech Jean Jacques Rousseau – community above individual People are good, corrupted by evils of society Gov’t. control should be limited

8. Women Women were mostly left out. Women’s natural rights were limited to the areas of home & family. Mary Wollstonecraft – women are excluded from the social contract Women should be able to decide what was in her best interest without her husband’s input Called for equal education of boys and girls

9. Economics Laissez Faire (let it be) – businesses allowed to operate with little or no gov’t. interference Opposite of mercantilism – gov’t. involved to ensure a balance of trade.