The Age of
Enlightenment
AKA - The Age of Reason
I. What IS the Enlightenment?
§ a. Definition: philosophic movement, 18th
century
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i. Reject traditional social, religious, and
political ideas
ii. Emphasis on rationalism
§ b. Intellectuals examined the standards by
which rulers governed.
§ c. Enlightenment thinkers believed
everything (including the government) was
worth examining, and scrutinizing.
II. Enlightenment Ideas
§ a. Individuals have natural rights
§ b. Government was an agreement or contract
between the people and their ruler = Social
Contract
§ c. In this governmental contract both the
ruler and citizens have rights and
responsibilities.
§ d. Government powers needed to be
separated and balanced to prevent corruption
§ e. Move from “Divine Right of Kings” (in
power because a higher power put you there)
to Constitutionalism
§ i. Constitutionalism: The government contract
should be written down, making clear what
powers are given to whom.
III. Philosophers Believed
§ a. Government “contract” and laws should reflect the
“general will” of the people.
§ b. Both rulers and the governed should agree on rules.
§ c. Assemblies should form to influence the government
IV. How to Make Changes
§ a. If Ruler and government
have abused power or not
protected citizens, the people
have a right to rebel and
replace ruler.
§ b. Ruler expects citizens to
respect the government and
the laws.
§ i. Citizens should expect
certain natural rights
V. John Locke (1632-1704)
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a. Believed all individuals had
natural rights, “life, liberty and
property”
b. State should protect
individual rights
c. Citizens should rebel against
unjust governments
d. Believed in Religious
Freedom
e. Supported Women’s Rights
f. Thomas Jefferson used Locke’s
ideas for Declaration of
Independence
VI. Thomas Hobbes
§ a. Believed early humans
lived in “State of Nature” no government
§ i. But, no authority to
protect people from
others
§ b. Believed the state existed
to serve the will of the
people, and people are the
source of their power.
§ c. Can give or take away
power
VII. Baron de Montesquieu
§ a. Three-part government
(legislative, executive &
judicial)
§ b. Separation of
governmental powers,
with checks and balances
to prevent too much
power in one place
§ c. Believed in rights of
the individual
Wrap Up
§ Think about what you just learned…
§ 1. What is the continuing influence of
Montesquieu on our government?
§ 2. Why are Montesquieu’s ideas important
to preserving citizens’ freedom?