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Enlightenment Thinkers. World History – Libertyville HS. “The Big Picture”. Renaissance – changed the way man interpreted MAN Reformation – changed the way man interpreted GOD Age of Exploration – changed the way man interpreted the WORLD (& Europe’s place in it)
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Enlightenment Thinkers World History – Libertyville HS
“The Big Picture” • Renaissance – changed the way man interpreted MAN • Reformation – changed the way man interpreted GOD • Age of Exploration – changed the way man interpreted the WORLD (& Europe’s place in it) • Scientific Revolution – changed the way man interpreted the UNIVERSE • WHAT’S NEXT?!?!
“The Big Picture” • What’s the most common form of government in the 18th C.? • Enlightenment – examination of the relationship between the people and government • Examination based in reason, thought – not emotion!
John Locke • Wrote during the Glorious Revolution, in England (1688) • Social Contract idea: People give up some rights, but retain others • Inalienable rights • Life • Liberty • Property
John Locke • Wrote Two Treatise on Government • Purpose of government is to protect inalienable rights • People have right to overthrow unjust government
Jean Jacques Rousseau • Wrote The Social Contract • People are good • People need gov’t to keep them that way • People must have say in their gov’t • Spoke a lot about Popular Sovereignty • Gov’t created by people • Gov’t subject to will of people • Power o gov’t = people
Thomas Hobbes • Believed that man is evil and acts only in own self-interest • A strong ruler was needed to keep people in check • Believed in absolute monarchs • Hobbes’ Social Contract: People give rights to gov’t to ensure their own safety • Wrote The Leviathan • Gov’t should be very strong • “W/o gov’t, life would be nasty, brutish and short”
Voltaire • Leading philosophe • Salons • Rich people’s sitting rooms • Philosophes gathered to argue, debate ideas • Voltaire wrote Candide • Supported freedom of speech, religion • Often made fun of intolerant nobles, churchmen • “I disapprove of what you say, but will die defending your right to say it”
Montesquieu • Wrote about gov’t structure • All gov’ts made up of executive, legislative, judicial powers • Separation of powers important: E, L & J should be divided to avoid dictatorship • Checks and balances: each branch of gov’t should balance other branches • Avoid gov’t with all power in one pair of hands!
Beccaria • Legal thinker • Wrote about crime and punishment • Laws exist to preserve order • Criticized torture, unfair trials, cruel punishment • Against capital punishment • Punishment should be fair and fit the seriousness of the crime • All people had right to a fair and speedy trial