The Enlightenment

“Age of Reason”

The EnlightenmentThe age of enlightenment was a time in history when people started to question the authority of absolute rulers. People began to develop philosophies on

how government should be run. These ideas shaped history going forward and laid the groundwork for

many revolutions.

Enlightened Despot

An enlightened despot was someone who influenced and discussed the new

ideas developed during this time period. Enlightened

despots developed philosophies of their own

regarding government and the rights of the people.

Scientific Revolution

This was a change from religious theories of

science, to science to being based on experiment and

theory.

Heliocentric Model

This idea, put forth by Galileo Galilei, states that the sun, not the earth, is

the center of the universe. This model was rejected by

the church, but science proved it to be true.

Scientific Method

Put forth by Francis Bacon, this theory is a series of

steps used to prove scientific theories.

John LockeJohn Locke believed in

Natural Rights. The natural rights John Locke believed

in we life, liberty, and property. He believed that every individual were owed

those rights. John Locke supported a democratic

form of government.

Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes believed that people need structure and guidance. He believed without total control, chaos

would erupt. Thomas Hobbes supported a

absolutist form of government, in which the

government has total control of the people.

MontesquieuBaron de Montesquieu

believed in a government that contained three

branches. This allowed for checks and balances within the government system.

The three branches of government being judicial, executive, and legistlative.

RousseauJean-Jaques Rousseau’s

philosophy stated, “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains”. We live in a free society with rules at

every corner. Rousseau wrote the text

The Social Contract.

VoltaireVoltaire believed in the freedom of speech and

religion. He once said, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend

your right to say it”.