Chapter 20: Enlightenment

and Revolution in England and

America 1550-1789•Section 4: The

Enlightenment (494-496)

Philosophes•Critics of society•The Encyclopedia•Attacked the church, the government, the slave trade, torture, taxes, and war

•The philosophes based their ideas about government on classical Greece and Roman “Gov”

John LockeJohn Locke• Individual not give up all rights –They kept right to live, enjoy liberty, and to own property

John Locke (con’t)• Two Treatises on Two Treatises on GovernmentGovernment–Government to Government to protect our rightsprotect our rights

–Ruler should not Ruler should not have absolutehave absolute powerpower

Thomas Hobbes

• English Philosopher•LeviathanLeviathan

–Leader had absolute power

–People acted from self-interest and without regard for the rights and welfare of others

Thomas Hobbes (con’t)

• Only strong would survive unless order was imposed by a greater power of a ruler

Baron de Montesquieu

• System of checks and balances

• Three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau• Social Contract• Popular Sovereignty

–Government created and controlled by the people

Mary Wollstonecraft

• Early spokesperson for women’s rights