Men of Influence John Locke Thomas Hobbes Jean Jacques Rousseau Baron de Montesquieu Michael Quinones, NBCT

Enlightenment Philosophers Enlightenment: illuminating or acquiring new ideas. The Enlightenment period from the 1500s-1700s was a time in world history when advanced, new ideas about science, literature and civil rights surfaced to “enlighten” people of the world. Enlightenment philosophers challenged conventions of the Church and Monarchies.

Thomas Hobbes Hobbes was an Englishman who lived from Hobbes was born to a wealthy English family. Hobbes was university educated. Hobbes believed man was greatly affected by his senses, passions and desires as published in his well known book the (Leviathan). Hobbes also believed man was very flawed.

Thomas Hobbes Jobs: worked as a tutor for children of English nobles (wealthy, important people). Hobbes was also a mathematician, historian and writer. After writing a history of Ancient Greece he decided democracy was too unstable and that a strong monarchy was more effective to maintain order.

John Locke: English philosopher  Locke was an Englishman who lived from  Jobs: soldier, country lawyer and writer.  Locke was highly educated a different universities and earned degrees in philosophy and medicine.

John Locke: English philosopher  Locke was greatly influenced by his experiences [empiricist].  Locke was well known for writing about the Social Contract theory that explained that the only legal government was one with consent of the people.

John Locke’s influence on American Thinkers  Many of Locke’s ideas can be seen in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.  Locke believed and wrote that people were born with three main natural rights: Life, Liberty and Property.

Jean Jacques Rousseau  Rousseau was a Frenchman who lived from  Rousseau was born to a watch maker had no formal college/university education.  Jobs: writer, secretary  One of Rousseau’s beliefs was that men were “noble savages.”  Rousseau believed that governments tended to corrupt (ruin/mess up) men.

Jean Jacques Rousseau Rousseau agreed with Locke’s Social Contract theory. Rousseau believed that sovereignty (government power) must be held by the people. Why? Rousseau believed that government should only exist for the benefit of the people. Rousseau’s writings greatly influenced the overthrow of French monarchy.

The Baron de Montesquieu  Montesquieu was a Frenchman who lived from  Montesquieu was born into a French noble family.  Montesquieu eventually became a powerful judge and government official.

The Baron de Montesquieu Montesquieu is most well known for his suspicions about government (especially the monarchy). Perhaps Montesquieu’s most important and influential achievement was his writings about separation of powers. Montesquieu believed separation governments into three parts or branches so no individual or branch would hold all of the power and become despotic (all powerful).

Assignment: Cartoon Strip Directions: Based on all of the information provided about each of the Enlightenment philosophers (Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, and Montesquieu) students will create a 6-panel cartoon strip. Minimum expectations: All six panels must have related text and images. All six Enlightenment philosophers must interact with each other by talking and/or engaging in actions with or against each other. Students’ names and date of submission must be on the cartoon strip. Cartoon strip may be created using paper and a writing instrument or using a computer program. The cartoon must be an original work and not copied from an outside source.