6.2 Review Activity

Government in Europe• Absolute Monarchies• Absolute: 100%,

unquestionable• Monarchy: a

government with a King/Queen, inherited power

• Divine Right theory• Ruled over every

aspect of societyIvan IV: Russia

Louis XIV: France

George III: England

VSThomas Hobbes

• Wrote Leviathan (1651)• Believed that man was

naturally evil, wicked & selfish

• People needed a strong authoritarian government to take control, keep order

• Favored Absolute Monarchy

John Locke• Wrote Two Treatises

on Government (1690)• Believed that men

were born with reason & could learn from experience

• Life, liberty & property were natural rights

• Need government to protect rights

• Man can change government if it fails

Social Contract

VoltaireWriter who attacked society using satire. Targeted the Church, aristocracy & monarchiesPushed for toleranceFreedom of religion & speechFought against prejudice, intolerance & superstition

Baron de Montesquieu

Studied lawBelieved in the separation of a government’s powers3 Branches each with its own authorityExecutive: carry out lawsLegislative: create lawsJudicial: judge the lawsSystem of checks & balances between each branchLimit the government’s power

Jean Jacques RousseauFather of modern philosophyDisagreed with many Enlightenment thinkersBelieved society corrupted man, stronger people dominated weaker people destroying true freedomBelieved in a direct democracy created by the peopleBelieved that all people were equalWrote The Social Contract (1762)

Cesare BeccariaWrote On Crimes and Punishments (1764)Wanted to reform the legal systemAbolish tortureAllow for fair treatment of the accusedSpeedy trialDegree of punishment should match the crimeAbolish capital punishment

Mary WollstonecraftWrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792)Focused on gaining more rights for womenWomen needed to be educatedWomen needed to be able to get a divorceWomen should rights to children and to propertyMost Enlightenment thinkers did not support women’s rights