Enlightenment Vocabulary

Front

reason

Back

Clear and ordered thinking - logic

Front

Absolutism

Back

A form of government in which a ruler holds total power

Front

Divine Right

Back

the belief that the authority of kings comes directly from God

Front

Enlightenment

Back

a movement that emphasized science and reason as guides to help see the world more clearly

Front

Natural Rights

Back

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty and property

Front

Social Contract

Back

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed

Front

philosophers

Back

a person who searches for wisdom or enlightenment

Front

Separation of Powers

Back

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

Front

checks and balances

Back

Each branch of government has the power to check, or limit, the actions of the other two

Front

General Will

Back

the will of the people as a whole