The Enlightenment and Democratic Ideas

By: A. Aie For Mr. Haskvitz

John Locke Believed in natural

rights (life, liberty, property)

God given rights that government cannot take away

Government must have the consent of the governed

Influenced the writings of the Declaration of Independence

People have the right to change, resist, or overthrow the form of government if they feel it is not protecting their unalienable rights

Baron de Montesquieu

Formed separation of powers in a government

Created the concept of checks and balances (power is balanced throughout)

Influenced the basis of the constitution

Opposed a monarchy where power is in one person’s control (promoted democracy)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Believed that a social contract between the government and it’s people existed

Government must protect the rights of the people

Social contract in which people followed the general will for their true liberty

“Man is born free but everywhere is in chains.” from The Social Contract.

Thomas Hobbes

• Believed that mankind is self interested and that man is always against man (civil war)

Promoted a social contract in which people give power to the government for and organized society (people needed government to keep peace)

•Said that all humans are created equal and independent (life, health, liberty, and possessions)

VoltaireVoltaire

Battled corruption, Battled corruption, injustice, and inequalityinjustice, and inequality

Defended the freedom Defended the freedom of speech of speech

Advocated religious Advocated religious and social tolerance and social tolerance

““Liberty of thought is Liberty of thought is the life of the soul” the life of the soul” from from Essays of Epic Essays of Epic Poetry Poetry

Influenced first Influenced first amendment amendment

Adam Smith

• Believed in free market

• Promoted laissez faire

• Believed that wealth was not money but that wealth was derived from added value produced manufactured items

• Supported laissez faire (little gov. interference) but agreed that a little gov. was needed to maintain order

Thomas Jefferson Main writer of the

Declaration of Independence

Believed that the laws of nature can improve humanity

All humans have the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Believed that all men are created equal (inalienable rights)

Thomas Wrote the book Common Sensed

Opposed the monarchy and told people to rebel

Supported free thinking and revolutionary idealism of a person

Promoted a democratic form of government as opposed to a monarchy

Paine“…the individuals themselves, each in his own personal and sovereign right, entered into a compact with each other to produce a government: and this is the only mode in which governments have a right to arise, and the only principle on which they have a right to exist.”

George Washington

First president of the colonies

Set up a precedent for future presidents

Wrote a farewell address warning future presidents of political parties, national dept, and foreign alliances

"The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have as little political connection as possible... Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils ofEuropean ambition, rivalships, interest, humor, or caprice?... It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world."

Matching

1. John Locke

2. Baron de Montesquieu3. Jean-Jacques

Rousseau 4. Thomas Hobbes 5. Voltaire6. Adam Smith7. Thomas Jefferson8. Thomas Paine9. George Washington

Declaration of Independence

Laissez faire Life, liberty, property Battled corruption Separation of powers Wrote Common Sense Social contract Farewell address Self interest

Answers

1. Life, liberty, property2. Separation of powers3. Social contract4. Self interest5. Battled corruption6. Laissez faire7. Declaration of Independence8. Wrote Common Sense9. Farewell Address