Enlightenment and its

Thinkers

I. THEORIES OF GOVERNMENT

A. Evolutionary Theory: The idea of

government evolves over time from the begins of a small families need for leadership. The small family becomes a small village, than a small town, ect….

B. Divine Right Theory: God created

government with a vision. Chosen followers believed God wanted them to organize and lead people and thus government was formed.

C. Force Theory: Government is

established through attacks on villages. Villages form governments to organize protective measures and conquer lands of their own.

D. Social Contract Theory:

The idea that without government chaos would overwhelm nations. A world without order is a world in need of government

II. ENLIGHTENMENT

The Enlightenment Educated people throughout Europe, beyond, inspired

Held notion that world problems could be solved (Scientific Rev.)

New ideas debated in coffeehouses, public spaces

Writers published ideas in books, magazines, pamphlets

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The Enlightenment During the Enlightenment, Europeans began to believe that reason was a better guide than faith or tradition.

Political Thinkers applied reason and scientific ideas to government.

Natural Law-Laws that were applied to everyone and could be understood by reason.

III. GOVERNMENTAL PHILOSOPHERS

A. Jean Rousseau - Most controversial philosopher during Enlightenment.

- Believed that people were inherently good people and could make good choices and decisions.

- Wrote Social Contract- Idea people form a community and will make a contract with one another

A. Jean Rousseau - Believed that people will give up their freedoms to benefit the majority.

- Putting the community over the individual (ONLY THINKER)

- People vote on decisions and live by those decisions.

B. John Locke - Famous for the idea of Natural Rights

- Natural Rights: Everyone can defend their Life, Health, and Possessions

- Government for the people by the people

B. John Locke - Governments are established to defend their Natural Rights

- Wrote Two Treaties of Government

- Believed best government had limited power over the people

C. Thomas Hobbes

- Believes in the idea State of Nature

- Idea people should confirm with a government because the alternative is a violent death all man should fear

C. Thomas Hobbes- Wrote the Leviathan: Said people are natural cruel and selfish.

- If they are not controlled they will fight, rob, and oppress.

- Believed in a powerful government

D. Baron de Montesquieu

- Wrote the Spirit of the Laws

- Highly against the idea of a monarchy, and absolute power.

- Instead believed in separation of powers. And a system of checks and balances.

D. Baron de Montesquieu

- First real idea of multiple governments (Democracy, Monarchy, Autocracy)

- Creator of the idea of a branches of government and checks and balance system

- Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches with-in a government

E. VoltaireIs known as the greatest thinker of the Enlightenment.

He was known for his strong dislike of the Catholic Church.

He blamed the church for keeping knowledge from the people to maintain their power.

E. VoltaireVoltaire targeted corrupt officials and

said government is the down fall of the world.

Detested the slave trade and deplored religious prejudice

Wanted to end Bigotry and Tyranny He saw his books censored and burnedWrote Manner and Spirit of Nations

III. WOMEN & the

ENLIGHTENMENT

A. Women The Enlightenment raised questions about the

role of women in society. In the 1700s, women thinkers began to call for

women’s rights. English writer, Mary Wollstonecraft is

considered the founder of the modern movement for women’s rights.

She claimed that all humans have reason, because women have reason, they should have the same rights as men.

Women should have equal rights in education, workplace, and politics.

B. Mary Wollstonecraft

She claimed that all humans have reason, because women have reason, they should have the same rights as men.

Women should have equal rights in education, workplace, and politics.

She wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women.

Believed women should be good mother first but also offered so much more.

No natural rights were given to women.

IV. TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

Type of Government

Who Rules Government

How they get Power

Where can find

Democracy People Elections United States

Autocracy 1 Leader Various was Various Nations

Dictatorship 1 Leader Usually a

militarytotalitarian

leader

Through force generally through military force

Cuba

Monarchy 1 LeaderKing or Queen

Passed on with-in a certain family

Saudi Arabia

Constitutional Monarchy

1 Leader (King/Queen) With a legislative power

Political Party is voted into office than leaders are chosen

England

Oligarchy A group of People

Through False elections (the wealthy or military powerful)

South Africa