Locke Montesquieu Rousseau PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS AND FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT The Enlightenment The Enlightenment THE AGE OF REASON (c. 17th and 18th centuries) What was it? A cultural movement of intellectuals, a philosophical revolution centered in France and spreading throughout Europe and the colonies during the 1600s and 1700s. Why? Advances in scientific discovery and understanding (Scientific Revolution) led to a transformation of thought and interpretation of the world. Other triggers: Absolutist monarchies of England, France, and Spain Corruption and powerful influence of the Church Economic changes bringing the emergence of a new class of merchants and artisans – demand for hard work and individualism and more power and influence in society and government (emerging middle class) Urbanization of European society Europe was changing; the monarchies and Church were not keeping pace Enlightenment Thinkers Benjamin Franklin Thomas Denis Diderot John Locke Hobbes Sir Isaac Newton Baruch Spinoza Pierre Bayle baron de Thomas Jean-Jacques Montesquieu Jefferson Rousseau Basic Enlightenment Ideas Reason rather than emotion should guide decision- making; leads to absence of intolerance and can help solve social problems. Natural laws regulate human society Social progress is inevitable Liberty is the natural state of mankind; attempts to limit liberty are violations of natural law Emphasis on tolerance, opposed superstition and bigotry; argued for full religious tolerance John Locke 1632-1704 Key Arguments People are born with natural rights (“life, liberty, and property”) People form governments to preserve their rights Government is based on the consent of the people Government is a contract with the people to uphold their rights If government does not uphold such a contract, the people can alter or abolish the government Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu 1689-1755 Key Arguments The ideal government is based on a separation of powers Powers are divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches Separation of powers protects the rights of the people by preventing one branch from gaining control of society Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778 Key Arguments The ruler of a state does not have sovereign power The general will of an entire community is the source of power Rulers are the servants of the community Failure to carry out the people’s will is grounds for removal All communities live according to a social contract that looks out for the rights of the whole as well as the individual *All pictures come from wikipedia.org .