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