The Enlightenment and U.S. The Enlightenment and U.S. GovernmentGovernment

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

A time of new and revolutionary ideas in A time of new and revolutionary ideas in Europe during the late 1600s and 1700sEurope during the late 1600s and 1700s

John LockeJohn Locke

English philosopher English philosopher Argued that people had Argued that people had

the right to life, liberty, and the right to life, liberty, and propertyproperty

Social Contract: If the Social Contract: If the government fails to protect government fails to protect rights, then the people rights, then the people have the right to overthrow have the right to overthrow that government and set that government and set up a new one.up a new one.

MontesquieuMontesquieu

French NoblemanFrench Nobleman Critic of absolute Critic of absolute

monarchiesmonarchies For individual freedomFor individual freedom Believed liberty Believed liberty

required a separation required a separation and balance of powersand balance of powers

RousseauRousseau

Expanded on the ideas Expanded on the ideas of the social contractof the social contract

A community should A community should consist of people who consist of people who share common values share common values and attitudes.and attitudes.

Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin

Brought many of these Brought many of these ideas back from ideas back from Europe and opened Europe and opened their discussion.their discussion.

Played a part in the Played a part in the decision to gain decision to gain independence and independence and form a new US form a new US government.government.