1. Scientific Revolution sparks Enlightenment
Convinced educated Europeans of human reason
Natural law- rules discovered by reason govern scientific forces
Using methods of science, reformers studied human behavior
Immanuel Kant first described era as “Enlightenment”

2. Thomas Hobbes People natural cruel, greedy, and selfish
Social contract- agreement to give up freedom for organized society
Only powerful gov’t could ensure orderly society

3. John Locke People were reasonable and moral
Natural rights- rights belonged to all humans from birth
Life, liberty, and property
People form gov’t to protect natural rights

4. Baron de Montesquieu
Best way to protect liberty was by dividing functions and powers of gov’t
3 branches: legislative, executive, judicial

5. Voltaire (Francois-Marie Arouet)
Targeted corrupt officials and idle aristocrats
Detested slave trade
Freedom of speech
Offended French gov’t and Catholic church
Forced into exile

6. Denis Diderot Created 28-volume set of books called Encyclopedia
Included articles by leading thinkers
Helped spread Enlightenment ideas throughout Europe and to Americas

7. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
People in natural state were basically good
Natural innocence corrupted by evils of society and unequal distribution of property
Some controls necessary, should be minimal
Faith in “general will” or best conscience of people

8. Mary Wollstonecraft
Enlightenment slogan “free and equal” did not apply to women
Growing number of women protested
Called for equal education for girls and boys

9. New Economic Thinking Rejected mercantilism
Laissez faire- business operate with little or no government interference
Adam Smith argued free market should be allowed to regulate business activity