The Enlightenment Flashcards
What is another name for the enlightenment?
The Age of Reason
What is the age of reason about?
Individuals began to examine
the standards by which rulers
governed. The principles of this
time held that everything,
including government, was
worth examination and scrutiny.
These principles spread to our
early political scientists.
How did the enlightenment affect our goverment now?
stated that individuals had
natural rights and that
government was an
agreement or contract
between the people and
their ruler. In this
governmental contract both
the ruler and the citizen had
rights and responsibilities.
Meaning of Constitutionalism
government contract should be written down,
making clear what powers were given to whom.
What were the enlightenment idea’s
Power needed to be
separated and balanced
so that individuals or
groups did not become
corrupt through those
powers.
The people wanted a
change from absolutism
and the divine right of
kings to
constitutionalism.
what did elighenment thinkers think about god and men ruling the people?
Enlightenment thinkers believed that
science and reason led to progress, that
knowledge was attainable by man (not
just a revelation by God), and that man
wanted to free himself from the existing
religious worldview through scientific
understanding
What did Hobbes believe about the goverment
People are cruel, greedy,
selfish, give up their rights
to a powerful government
That powerful government
provides “peace and
stability”
What did Mary Wollstonecraft believe about the government?
Mary Wollstonecraft believed that a free republic must be a virtuous one. She also argued that society was wasting its assets by keeping women in the role of ‘convenient domestic slaves’ and denying them economic independence
(Republican philosopher)
How did Mary Wollstonecraft view rights?
Mary Wollstonecraft, an Enlightenment thinker, believed that both women and men were endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. She advocated for women’s education, freedom in business, professional careers, and the right to vote. Wollstonecraft also blended republican and natural rights
How did Mary Wollstonecraft view “the people?”
Mary Wollstonecraft viewed “the people” as individuals who sometimes adapt to their oppression and lose the will to reclaim their freedom. She believed in the Lockean idea of people as “blank slates,” emphasizing the importance of upbringing and education which was very important to her and her cause for women to be able to go to school.
What are Mary Wollstonecraft famous for?
She was most famous for preaching the Rights of Woman. She wanted women to have equal rights.
Why are Mary Wollstonecraft important in history?
She is known to be the first feminist of that time.
What impact did Mary Wollstonecraft have on today’s society?
She was the start of feminism and helping women get the right to vote and be equal to men. It started the ball rolling for women for it to be how it is now.
What did Locke believe about the government?
They were a republican
He believed Each branch of government should have separate powers and that Liberty must be protected from state interference. He didn’t agree with the divine rights of kings/royalty. He believed that the government derives from an agreement between people to give up life in the state of nature in favor of life in a political or civil society
How did Locke view rights?
He believed that all persons are allowed natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that rulers who fail to protect those rights may be removed by the people, by force if necessary.
How did Locke view “the people?”
Locke believed that the ‘people’ should rule for the simple reason that this is far less likely to end in authoritarian and despotic rule than a government ruled by a monarch alone or a small elite group.
What is Locke famous for?
John Locke was an English philosopher and political theorist. He is often regarded as British Empiricism, and he made foundational contributions to modern theories of limited, liberal government. Locke laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and made central contributions to the development of liberalism
Why are Locke important in history?
His political theory of the government by the consent of governed which influenced the USA’s founding documents
What impact did Locke have on today’s society?
If he didn’t make his political theory the USA would be very different with their founding documents and the foundation for liberal democracy and republicans would be different also.
What did Montesquieu believe about the government?
Montesquieu believed in a separation of powers within the government, advocating for distinct branches executive, legislative, and judicial each with its own powers and responsibilities. He believed this separation would prevent any single entity from becoming too powerful and would safeguard against tyranny
How did Montesquieu view rights?
He believed in the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of government to protect individual rights
How did Montesquieu view “the people?”
He believed that “the people” were influenced by emotions such as jealousy and desire to rule/domination. He believed that these factors played a huge role in shaping society and history.
What are Montesquieu famous for?
He is well known for his major work “the spirit of the laws” which was a significant contribution to political theory. His work explored deeper on the idea of separate powers in the government. Which was the influence for modern democratic systems.
Why are Montesquieu important in history?
He combined history, anthropology and political theory to create “The spirits of the law”. He also influenced American founders and the design of the US constitution.
What impact did Montesquieu have on today’s society?
Montesquieu’s writing and ideologies in his book The Spirit of the Laws had a major impact on modern society, helping create the bases for the democratic institutions after the French revolution, and can even be seen in the constitution of the United States of America.
What did Voltaire believe about the government?
Voltaire believed that an enlightened monarchy, informed by the counsels of the wise, was best suited to govern. He also believed that the role of government should be to protect the freedom and rights of individuals, promote justice, and support progress through reason and enlightenment
How did Voltaire view rights?
Voltaire is well known for his defense of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and the right to a fair trial. He was an outspoken supporter of social reform despite strict censorship laws in France and harsh penalties for those who broke them.
How did Voltaire view “the people?”
He saw common people as ignorant. He also said that he thought his government was ineffective, the church , and the aristocracy as corrupt, broken, and parasitic. It got to the point that he became a personal anemone with the roman catholic church, the french government, the bible, and the general masses. He was one of the few prominent polygenists. Who viewed people of different races as having been created separately by god.
What are Voltaire famous for?
He was a prolific writer, philosopher, and the poet of the French enlightenment, condemning injustice, clerical abuses, prejudices, and fanaticism. He was more famous for his wit/smarts, criticism of christianity, and advocacy of freedom of speech, religion, and separation from the church and state.
Why are Voltaire important in history?
He was famous for the idea of freedom of speech and separation of church and state, which laid the groundwork for modern democratic societies.
What impact did Voltaire have on today’s society?
Voltaire had a significant impact on today’s society by championing civil liberties such as freedom of speech and separation of church and state, which laid the groundwork for modern democratic societies. He also clarified the distinction between science and philosophy, influencing the development of modern philosophy
