Ms. Simonsen\’s World History Class

Enlightenment – “Age of Reason,” desire to acquire knowledge through reason

social contract – an agreement between people (who gave up their freedom) to a powerful government in order to avoid chaos

natural rights – the right of life, liberty, and property

Thomas Hobbes – believed people were naturally selfish and that the best government was an absolute monarchy to keep order

John Locke – believed people were reasonable beings and that rulers had to protect our natural rights (if not, people could overthrow gov’t)

Voltaire – believed in a “strong” monarchy who were enlightened rulers;

Rousseau – believed in a social contract where people gave up some of their freedoms for the “general will” of society – direct democracy

Montesquieu – proposed the separation of powers so that it prevented any individual or group from gaining total control of government