Mrs.Solecky
Global I
Flashcard Review
Enlightenment
239.
Period of history in the 1700s and 1800s where thinkers believed
in applying reason and logic to better understand and improve
society through reforms of government, law and society
-Change the relationship between government and citizens
-Economic reform based on natural laws
239A.
Enlightenment
240.
Enlightenment thinker:
-Wrote the Leviathan
• People are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish
• Believed only a strong government could ensure societyAbsolute monarchy
240A.
Thomas Hobbes
241.
Enlightenment thinker:
-Wrote the Two Treatises of
Government
• People are born with basic natural
rights- life, liberty and property
• Government exists based on the
consent of the governed and
protect the rights of its citizens
• Government has an obligation to
those it governs; if it violates its
obligations or violates natural
rights; people have the right to
overthrow the government.
241A.
John Locke
242.
Enlightenment
thinker:
-Wrote The Spirit of
Laws
• Separation of
powers
• Checks and
Balances
242A.
Montesquieu
243.
Enlightenment thinker:
-Criticized powerful institutions for being unjust
-Attacked corruption, inequality, religious intolerance, slavery
-Supported freedom of speech
243A.
Voltaire
244.
Enlightenment thinker:
-Wrote The Social Contract
 Despised political and economic oppression
 Society was restrictive; only governments freely elected should
impose minimal controls
 Advocated the will of the majority and the common good
244A.
Rousseau
245.
Enlightenment thinker:
-Wrote The Wealth of
Nations
• Laissez Faire (hands
off)
• Free trade, and no
tariffs
• Free market should
regulate business
245A.
Adam Smith