The document summarizes key figures of the Enlightenment and their beliefs. Thomas Hobbes believed humans were inherently evil and required an absolute monarch to maintain order, while John Locke believed all humans were born equal with natural rights and that government's authority comes from the people. Baron de Montesquieu advocated for separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau influenced revolutions across Europe and the Americas in the late 18th century.
1. To Prepare for
Enlightenment Press
Conference
Complete the chart of all the absolute
rulers and philosophers.You are
responsible for all the information.
2. 2
The Enlightenment
Questioning the Power of
Government and society through
REASON
"Man is born free, but everywhere is in chains."
McDowell-Anders
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4. King John
Believed in his divine right to rule
but forced to share power with
nobility.
Parliament established under his rule.
Petition of Right-Taxes could not be imposed
without parliament’s approval.
★MAGNA CARTA★
5. Queen
Elizabeth I
Queen of England who
believed she had divine
right to rule.
Did not want to share power by marrying.
Considered herself “wedded to her subjects”
Became head of the English Church by making
England a Protestant country.
Although ruling as a “limited
monarch” (abiding by Magna Carta), viewed
herself at the top of the hierarchy of power.
6. King Louis XIV
French king who believed
he had divine right to
rule as an absolute
monarch (supported by
catholic church)
France had no law
limiting the monarch’s
power
Built a massive palace
called Versailles outside
of Paris
7. Louis XIV
Protestants persecuted. Many fled to
Holland and Germany (economy
struggles)
Used his control to expand boundaries
of France and entered into wars with
neighboring territories.
Although powerful at first, this left
France weak and in debt
Text
9. Scientific Revolution
In tradition of Scientific Revolution,
people began to search for natural laws
that dictated human behavior and
interaction
Took place from about 1650-1800,
starting in England and then spreading
to France
10. Scientific Rev leads to
Enlightenment
The philosophes closely examined and
wrote about political, economic, and
social interactions
Many of these philosophes objected to
the luxuries and privileges held by the
nobles and clergy
Most saw change as a way to better
human life.
12. Thomas Hobbes,
British 1709-1714 wrote Leviathan-->
One of the first philosophes
Believed men were inherently evil
In a pre-social world, humans would
be engaged in a constant state of war
People need strong, absolute
monarch to keep people in check
Social Contract- Ruler will provide
security in exchange for freedoms
and rights
14. John Locke, 1632-1704
British- Two Treatises of Government
Had opposite view of human
nature from Hobbes
Believed all men are born equal
with an innate natural morality
Natural rights- life, liberty,
property.
Government gets its authority
from the PEOPLE
Greatly influences Jefferson..... USA constitution
15. John Locke, 1632-1704
Individuals in a pre-
social world would co-
exist in harmony
One of the greatest
influences on
democratic thought in
the USA!
16. John Locke’s Beliefs
Purpose of government is to
protect people’s natural
rights – life, liberty, and
property
If a government violates the
people’s natural rights, it
can (and should) be replaced
All men are equal before the
law – although not every
man is equal
17. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1712-1778
French
Viewed primitive man,
the noble savage,
superior to civilized
men
Believed society and
culture corrupted men
Social Contract – An agreement exists
between all people as to how to act and
interact- Ruler is subject to it’s people!
Direct Democracy is the best form of
government
18. Voltaire, 1694-1778
French
Most effective leader of
a nation was an
enlightened despot – he
could bring in new
ideas, but keep the
aristocracy and church
under control
Strongly believed that
religious toleration, civil
rights, and free speech
were as essential as a
strong monarch.
19. Cesare Beccaria
Italian
Believed that the rights of the
accused had to be protected
Additionally, he strongly
advocated against torture,
capital punishment, and
unequal treatment because of
wealth or connections
His book, On Crimes and
Punishment, was immediately
popular among the philosophes
and some political leaders
20. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)
French
Wrote about the different types
of government, believed a
republic was the best form
In order for a government to
work efficiently government
power should be divided and
balanced between three groups
22. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)
1.King or executive should enforce laws
2.Parliament or legislature ( or congress in US) should
create laws
3.Courts should interpret laws
Separation of powers creates a system of
checks and
balances
23. Mary Wallstonecraft
Believed that women were just as
capable of men.
Women needed to be educated equally
and given equal opportunities.
Challenged other enlightened
thinkers who discredited women.
Women should mobilize to play a
political role.
25. Those who took the
Enlightenment and
turned it into
REVOLUTION
26. George Washington
Leads the American colonists
to fight against their king!
The General gathers a militia and they unite
under Washington.Weapons and funds received
from France.
After crossing the Delaware River, they have
their final battle against the British Red Coats
and win.
The founders of the United States (new
country!) then gather at Continental Congress
27. Simon Bolivar
Influenced by Enlightenment
thinkers through education and
trips to Europe
Hoped to unite all of South
America into one nation
Very capable general whose
victories brought independence
to Columbia,Venezuela, Peru,
and Bolivia
Most significant leader in the independence
movement in South America
