1. Enlightenment

2. Scientific Revolution
Edward Jenner- Vaccine for smallpox
Natural Law- gravity, magnetism
Discover through reason

3. Hobbes vs. Locke Both lived through English Civil War
Different conclusions on human nature

4. Hobbes believes in power of government
Leviathan
People naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish
Must be strictly controlled
Social Contract- give up freedoms for an organized society
Powerful government to ensure order
Absolute monarchy

5. Locke advocates natural rights
Believed people reasonable and moral
Natural rights- life, liberty, and property
Two Treaties of Government
Government formed to protect natural rights
Limited power government accepted by all citizens
Government has obligation to people
Otherwise it can be overthrown

6. The Philosophers French Methods of science on society
Reason could reform government

7. Montesquieu Advances the idea of Separation of Powers
Studied all governments
The Spirit of the Laws
Protect liberty by dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial
Checks and balances

8. Voltaire Defends Freedom of thought
“My trade to say what I think”
Used biting wit as weapon to expose abuse
Targeted corrupt
Detested the slave trade, and religious prejudice
Imprisoned and exiled
(Freedom of speech)

9. Diderot Edits the Encyclopedia
Produced 28 vol. Encyclopedia
“to change the general way of thinking”
Articles by leading thinkers of the day
Attacked multiple things
French government and Catholic church in outrage
Spread ideas through Europe and Americans

10. Rousseau Promotes The Social Contract
people were basically good
Evils of society corrupt
Minimal control
Freely elected
Good of the community above individual interest

11. Women Challenge the Philosophers
“free and equal” did not apply to women
Women had rights limited to home and family
Women excluded from social contract
Ridiculed
Should decide their own interest
Wollstonecraft
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
education (tools to compete)

12. Laissez Faire Replaces Mercantilism
Little or no government control of economy
Support free trade, oppose tariffs

13. Smith argues for a free market
Adam Smith
Wealth of nations
Free market regulate business
Supply and demand link
Government had duty to protect society, administer justice, provide public works