Enlightenment Test Study Guide Flashcards
What was an intellectual movement that focused on reason, thought and the power of individuals to solve problems?
The Enlightenment
Thomas Hobbes had what kind of outlook on government’s role in society?
He believed that people should give up their freedoms to a centralized government.
What is Hobbes’ social contract?
A government that the people give up their individual freedoms to a central power to make decisions that are good for the whole.
Who is an enlightened thinker that believes the government’s only role should be to protect a person’s natural rights?
John Locke
What are Locke’s three natural rights?
Life, liberty, and property.
What is the French term to describe someone who believes that reason is used to explain aspects of life?
Philosophies
Which enlightened thinker was quoted as “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.”?
Voltaire
Voltaire use satire in his writing to attack who and what happened as a result of that?
He used satire to attack the French government which got him sent to jail two separate times.
What did Baron de Montesquieu believe in when it came to the structure of government?
He believed in the separation of powers in government.
What is the checks and balances theory that Montesquieu thought was necessary?
The check and balance theory was that the power each branch had was power to check the other branches.
Who was the enlightened thinker that believed strongly in individualism?
Jean- Jacques Rousseau
In class we discussed the idea of Rousseau’s individual freedom and with more individual freedom you have more what?
Power
What was Rousseau’s social contract?
The power the government has comes from the people. Then the elected government can put laws into place to protect the general will of society.
How does Hobbes and Rousseau’s social contract differ from each other?
Hobbes wanted an agreement between society and the government. Rousseau wanted an agreement among individuals to create a society and government.
Who is Beccaria and what did they help in the enlightenment?
Beccaria was an enlightened figure who looked at criminal justice. He believed that torture and unfair punishment should be outlawed and that the accused person have a speedy trial by his/her peers.
