Enlightenment and Rationalism Concepts

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Enlightenment can be defined as....

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A philosophical movement of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism.

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What is Rationalism?

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A reliance on reason for the basis on religious truth (i.e, understanding rulers do not have divine rights to rule.)

Front

How did rulers previously claim they had the right to power?

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Divine Rights

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What are Divine Rights?

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 a political doctrine that asserts a monarch's legitimacy and authority are derived directly from God

Front

John Locke favored a....

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Constitutional Monarchy

Front

Locke believed in a Social Contract, what is a Social Contract?

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Government can only govern with the consent of the people. Therefore, its ultimate role is to protect ones rights to life, liberty, and property.

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What is Political Liberty?

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The rights of an individual to participate in government by voting/holding public office

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Montesquieu felt the best way to protect civil liberty was by...

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The Separation of Powers

Front

What is the Separation of Powers?

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 A system with three branches:

1. legislative branch to make laws.

2. executive branch to enforce laws.

3. 3. judicial branch to interpret laws.

5. This way, no one branch would be too powerful. 

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John Locke's political theory helped American colonists understand...

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What Government is, and what Government is supposed to do.