18th Century

The Enlightenment

List the rights that you value. If these rights were taken away,

what means would you go to get them back?

Initial Response

Occurred during the 1700’s

Middle class movement

Led to scientific, political, and social advances

Stressed the reason to question previous doctrines

Basics of the Enlightenment

Moral or inalienable rights

Not contingent upon laws, customs, or beliefs of a particular society

Different from legal rights, which are held by legal statutes by some type of legislature

Natural Rights

Founders of American government considered their ideas

Many of their ideas, words and concepts were used in the formation of our own government and legislature

European Political Thinkers

Lived between 1632-1704English philosopherWrote the Two Treatises of GovernmentBelieved that by nature, people had certain

rights and dutiesNatural rights (liberty (freedom), life and

property)People formed government to protect these

rightsPeople could change the government if it failed

to protect their rights

John Locke

Lived between 1588-1679EnglandHe believed people needed to come together

under a govt.Without govt., there would be conflict and

warGovt. could be a monarchy or strong bodyGovt. should fight to protect its people, which

would help them better serve their families and govt.

Wrote Leviathan- idea of social contract

Thomas Hobbes

Lived between 1689-1755French PhilosopherWrote The Spirit of LawsGovt.’s purpose is to bring freedom/libertyGovt. should be in three branches with

their own powersCitizens would live freely, laws would treat

them equally, people would feel safe

Baron de Montesquieu

Swiss/French PhilosopherWrote The Social ContractBelieved that people are good, people give

the govt. the powerIndividuals give up some of their rights for

common good or what is best for the societyCitizens contribute to the “general will”,

serve everyoneIf the govt. fails the people, they have the

right to overthrow the govt.

Jean-Jacque Rousseau

French PhilosopherWrote CandideFreedom of thought was the most importantDid not trust democracyBelieved only an enlightened monarch could

bring changeFought for civil rights-fair trial/freedom of

religionKing’s best interest to improve the power

and wealth of his people and kingdom

Voltaire