Enlightenment Thinkers Lesson

We are all born with

natural rights.

•In France, thinkers called

philosophes (or “philosophers”)

would gather in informal meetings

called salons.

Enlightenment thinkers wanted to
learn more about human life using
these questions:
1)

What natural law governs the way people should
live?

2)

How well do our institutions agree with natural
law?

3)

Does natural law give all people certain rights?

4)

What is the best form of government?

•Philosophers did not always
agree about the answers to
these questions.
•Some supported absolute
rule by the king.
•Others argued that the
people should have a say in
their own government.

•His Question: What is the basis of
social order?
•His Observation: Human beings are
naturally cruel, selfish, and greedy.
•In 1651, he published a book called
Leviathan. He wrote that people are
driven by a restless desire for power.
Without laws or other social controls,
people would always be in conflict.

❖ Governments were

created to protect people
from their own selfishness.

❖ People are selfish by

nature and cannot be
trusted to make decisions
that were good for society
as a whole.

Natural
Rights

•His Observation: He denied
the divine right of kings to
rule.
•In 1690, he published Two
Treatises of Government. His
book justified a strong
parliament which protects
human rights.
•He argued that the purpose
of government is to protect
people’s natural rights.
•These rights include the right
to life, liberty, and property.

social
contract

* In exchange for rights, people

give the government the
power to make and enforce
laws.

* The true basis of government

is a social contract (or
agreement), among free
people.

* His theory was that a

government’s authority is
based on the consent of the
people. If the government
fails to respect people’s rights,
it can be overthrown.

Separatio

n

of Powers

* His Observation: Too much

power in the hands of any one
person or group will lead to
tyranny.

* French author, in 1748, he

published The Spirit of Laws.

* He argued that the best way to

protect human rights is to divide
power among three branches of
government.

* Each branch of government

checks (limits) the power of the
others.

The Three Branches of Government

1)

Legislative branch – makes the laws; Congress

2)

Executive branch – enforces the laws; President

3)

Judicial branch – interprets the laws; Supreme
Court

•His Observation: Freedom of
thought and expression is the
only way to fight oppression.
•He was a French writer and
participant in Paris salons.
•He supported religious
tolerance – allowing people to
believe in religion in their own
way.
•Strong supporter of free speech.

“I DISSAPPROVE OF WHAT
YOU SAY, BUT WILL
DEFEND TO THE DEATH
YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.”

•His Observation: He studied
criminology, the scientific study of
crime and punishment.
•He objected to the harsh practices that
were common in his day and called for
changes in criminal law to protect the
rights of the accused.
•Torture was common, and people found
guilty of crimes were often sentenced
to death.
“PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE
CRIME.”

On Crimes and Punishments
* He argued that laws exist to

preserve society and order, and
that punishment does not have to
be brutal.

* A person accused of a crime

should receive a fair and speedy
trial.

* Torture should never be used.
* Capital punishment (putting

someone to death) should never
be used.

* Punishment should fit the

seriousness

of the crime.

* Enlightenment thinking influenced many throughout Europe and

inspired revolutions in America and France.

* Although women of the 1700s did not have the same rights or status

as men, there were a few who played an important role by helping to
spread ideas about rights and equality for women.

* Mary Wollstonecraft (1792), wrote A Vindication of the Rights of

Women argued for equality and education rights for women.

Multiple Choice

What were the informal meetings called in which French philosophers gathered?

• Salons

• Conferences

• Symposiums

• Assemblies

Multiple Select

Which of the following questions did Enlightenment thinkers want to learn more about?

• What natural law governs the way people should live?

• How well do our institutions agree with natural law?

• Does natural law give all people certain rights?

• What is the best form of government?

Multiple Choice

Which statement is most similar to Thomas Hobbes’s beliefs about leadership?

• People can rule themselves with order

• People make decisions based on the common good

• People need an absolute ruler because they are selfish and greedy by nature

• Individualism is key to a leader’s success

Multiple Choice

According to John Locke, what is the purpose of government?

• To protect people's natural rights

• To enforce laws and regulations

• To maintain social order

• To promote economic prosperity

Multiple Choice

Which Enlightenment thinker argued for the separation of powers in government?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Montesquieu

• Voltaire

Multiple Choice

Which branch of government interprets the laws?

• Legislative branch

• Executive branch

• Judicial branch

• Supreme Court

Multiple Choice

Which Enlightenment thinker supported religious tolerance and free speech?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Montesquieu

• Voltaire

Multiple Choice

Which amendment in the US Constitution was inspired by the beliefs of Voltaire?

• Amendment 2, the right to bear arms

• Amendment 1, freedom of speech

• Amendment 4, warrants are required to search

• Amendment 6, the right to a speedy trial

Multiple Choice

According to Cesare Beccaria, what should punishment be based on?

• The seriousness of the crime

• The social status of the accused

• The personal beliefs of the judge

• The political climate of the country

Multiple Choice

Who wrote 'A Vindication of the Rights of Women' and argued for equality and education rights for women?

• Mary Wollstonecraft

• Simone de Beauvoir

• Emmeline Pankhurst

• Susan B. Anthony

Open Ended

What natural law governs the way people should

live?

Open Ended

Does natural law give all people certain rights?

Open Ended

What is the best form of government?