1. Enlightenment

2. Thomas Hobbes Social Contract All humans naturally selfish and wicked
Without govt., war of every man against every man
Nature, life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short
Social Contract
People gave up rights to ruler for law and order
Ruler needed absolute power to impose order and demand obedience of citizens

3. John Locke People could learn from experience and improve themselves
Have natural ability to govern own affairs and look after welfare of society
All people born free with Natural Rights
Life, Liberty and property
If govt. fails to do these rights, people have right to overthrow govt.
Govt. power comes from consent of people
Foundation for modern democracy
Inspired struggles for liberty in Americas

4. Enlightenment in France
Philosophes – French philosophers who believed people could apply reason to aspects of life

5. 5 Core Concepts of Philosophy
Reason – truth discovered though logical thinking
Nature – what was natural was good and reasonable
Happiness – lived by nature’s laws
Progress – society and humankind could be perfected
Liberty – liberties English won in Bill of Rights,
Too many restrictions on speech, religion, trade and personal travel in France

6. Voltaire Satire against his opponents
Fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religion and speech
Mocked laws and customs of France
Raised doubts about Christianity

7. Montesquieu Studied Rome, collapse due to loss of political liberties
Believed Britain best-governed country
Separation of Powers - balanced among three groups
King – executive, carried out laws
Parliament – legislative, make laws
Judges – judicial, interpret laws
Checks and balances
Each branch check other branch to insure one group from gaining total control

8. Jean Jacques Rousseau Individual Freedom
Civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness
Strongest forced everyone else to obey laws, destroying freedom and equality
Direct democracy - only good government
All people are equal and titles of nobility should be abolished

9. Cesare Beccaria Law exists to preserve social order not avenge crimes
Accused should receive speedy trial
Torture should never be used
Punishment should fit the crime
Governments should seek greatest good for greatest number of people

10. Women of Enlightenment
Mary Wollstonecraft
Disagreed that women’s education should be secondary to men
Women need education to be virtuous and useful
Should be able to be doctors and not just nurses
Salons – social gathering to discuss enlightenment ideas and artistic performances