1. Enlightenment Influences

2. The Enlightenment Main Idea –European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the Enlightenment.

3. Scientific Revolution Change in European thought in the mid-1500s Study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and questioning previously accepted beliefs of ancient thinkers and the church

4. The Enlightenment The Age of Reason that reached its height in the mid-1700s Thinkers tried to apply reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society

5. Views on Government OLD IDEA: The king’s or queen’s rule is justified by DIVINE RIGHT NEW IDEA: The government’s power comes from the consent of the governed…(the people)

6. –Niccolo Machiavelli (1500’s) Believed: 1)That moral and theological (beliefs about God) ideas have no place in government. 2)“The ends justify the means” Niccolo Machiavelli (1500’s)

7. 1. In his book, Persian Letter, Montesquieu argued that a government should promote religious liberties. 2. A separation of powers in which no single government body dominated the other. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1713)

8. 1. Men were naturally selfish. 2. In his book entitled, Leviathan, Hobbes stated that men needed a King or Queen that would control them because democracy would lead to competing selfish desires. 3. People need to obey the King/Queen, but the King/Queen needs to protect them. Thomas Hobbes (1500’s)

9. 1. That Kings/Queens did not have a Divine Right (chosen by God) to rule. 2. Women have the ability to reason. 3. Governments had the responsibility of protecting an individual’s rights and liberties and if the government did protect them, people had the obligation of rebelling against the government. This became known as a Social Contract. 4. Believed that people were entitled to unalienable rights: Life, liberty, and property. John Locke (1600’s)

10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau The Social Contract –outlines the basis for a legitimate political order within a framework of classical republicanism

11. Voltaire 1. Known for his wit and his defense of civil liberties, including both freedom of religion and free trade.

12. Views on Government Thomas Hobbes –MAIN IDEA: People need a strong government to keep order –Social Contract Theory: people define and limit their own rights in order to create a strong government and an organized society John Locke –MAIN IDEA: People have the natural ability to govern themselves –Belief that people are born with natural rights of life, liberty and property –If government withholds these natural rights, people have the right to overthrow it

13. Key Ideas of the Enlightenment IDEATHINKER Natural RightsLocke Separation of PowersMontesquieu Freedom of Thought and Expression Voltaire Religious FreedomVoltaire Women’s EqualityWollstonecraft