Chapter 19.2 --- The Enlightenment

philosophes

outspoken philosopher

Voltaire

(1694-1778) French philosopher. He believed that freedom of speech was the best weapon against bad government. He also spoke out against the corruption of the French government, and the intolerance of the Catholic Church.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

A French man who believed that Human beings are naturally good & free & can rely on their instincts. Government should exist to protect common good, and be a democracy

enlightenment

A movement in the 18th century that advocated the use of reason in the reappraisal of accepted ideas and social institutions. (reason could help solve misconceptions used by philosophers-truth)

Enlightened despots

Absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change

social contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed (give up some rights n exchange for freedom + peace)

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.

Baron de Montesquieu

French aristocrat who wanted to limit royal absolutism; Wrote The Spirit of Laws, urging that power be separated between executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each balancing out the others, thus preventing despotism and preserving freedom. This greatly influenced writers of the US Constitution. He greatly admired British form of government.