The Enlightenment

Nathan B. GilsonSouthwest Middle School

Thomas Hobbes vs. John Locke

People cannot be trusted. We need a strong government to make sure they do what they

should.

People are pretty good. Government should

protect the people, but otherwise leave them

alone.

Social contract: People support the

government unless it can’t protect them.

Social Contract: The government should do what the people want. If it doesn’t, they should start a new

one

Discuss with the people around you which one you agree with, and why.

What’s the big deal with Rights? In 21st century America, we take things for granted.

Imagine a world where…. Men don’t have the right to vote

Women don’t have the right to vote …or usually can’t even own land or property

The leader of your country chooses what your religion will be …and you don’t have any say in whether he gets to be leader or not …and you can be put in prison for saying you don’t like what he’s

doing

You normally end up doing exactly what your father did …unless you’re a woman, then you stay at home and have children.

Monarchy System of government controlled by a king or

queen.

Often with the endorsement of a church official. The endorsement normally depended on which denomination (Protestant/Catholic/Church of England) was the official denomination of the country.God

wants you

Divine Right The idea that Kings and Queens were chosen

by God to rule.God

Monarchy Kings also were supported by an elite group of

wealthy people, called the nobility. Nobles enjoyed special rights that other citizens

didn’t have Owned huge amounts of land. Most people lived on the

nobles’ land, and had to pay them rent and taxes Could beat or murder a peasant with very little

consequencesServes in ArmySpecial

privileges

Taxes, support

Food/Shelter

Taxes, Work

Protection

Social Contract The belief that citizens give up certain rights

in order to be protected by the government

Rights

Protection

Revolution A significant change in how things are. Often

refers to a violent change in government.

Freedom of speech/religion Anyone can say anything or do anything at

any point, this is just free will.

Freedom of speech is the right to say what you want without being punished for it.

Freedom of religion is the right to openly practice what you believe without any negative effects from others because of it.

Natural Right A privilege or obligation that is owed to you

because you are a human being.

Separation of Powers The idea of dividing powers among several

people or groups to prevent one from having absolute power.

Jean Jacques Rousseau “Man was born free,

and everywhere he is in chains”

“No man has any natural authority over his fellow man.”

“Force does not constitute right…obedience is due only to legitimate powers.”

Voltaire “Think for yourself,

and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.”

“God is not on the side of the big battalions, but on the side of those who shoot best.”

John Locke “The end of law is not to

abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlargen freedom.”

“All mankind…being all equal and independent. No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”

“The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.

Montesquieu “For we can not

abuse power, must, by the arrangement of things, power checks power”

“If in the interior of a state you do not hear the noise of any conflict, you can be sure that freedom is not there”