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Jan 1, 1500
Definitions
The Enlightenment- was a period of time between the 16th century and the 18th century when a lot of revolutions in science, philosophy, society and politics happened. Salon-was a meeting under the roof of an inspiring host. Philosophies- are the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. Enlightened despots- were rulers who were influenced by the ideas of The Enlightenment. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Enlightenment
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Thomas Hobbs is Born
Thomas Hobbs was a philosopher who is most famously known for his book the Leviathan, which said that people in their natural state were solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. He believed that people needed a government to impose order and that people should be willing to give up some of their freedoms to a strong leader in exchange for peace and security. Thomas Hobbs called this act the Social Contract. -
John Locke is Born
John Locke was an English philosopher who believed that everyone was born equal. He also believed that everyone had the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. Another thing that John Locke believed was that everyone was naturally happy, tolerant, and reasonable. John Locke also said that the purpose of government was to protect people’s natural rights. John Locke also believed that if the government failed to protect its citizen’s rights they had the right to overthrow it. -
John Locke Facts Continued
He is also famous for writing The Two Treatises of Government. -
Two Treatises of Government
Two Treatises of Government is a publication by John Locke. The first part of it is an attack on Sir Robert Filmer's Patriarcha, and says that the Scriptural support that Filmer had offered for his thesis was wrong, and he also says that the acceptance of Filmer's thesis can only lead to irrationality. The second part of it talks about the state of nature and that no one has to obey anyone else, but that each person is their own judge. -
Two Treatises of Government Continued
In the Two Treatises of Government John Locke also says that people have the right to revolt against their government if they are acting against their interests. I think the Two Treatises of Government was influential to history because in it John Locke says that people have the right to revolt against their government if they are acting against their interests, and nearly a 100 years later the French revolution happened. -
Baron de Montesquieu
Baron de Montesquieu was a French philosopher who believed that the government should be separated into branches which would prevent one individual from abusing their power. In 1748 Baron de Montesquieu published The Spirit of the Laws which talked about his admiration for Great Britain’s government since it was split into branches. However Baron de Montesquieu had misunderstood the structure of the British government. -
Baron de Montesquieu Facts Continued
His misunderstanding, however led to a conclusion that the separation of powers allowed each branch of government to serve as a check against the power of the others. That is how he came up with the concept of checks and balances, which turned out to be a very important structure in later democratic government; even the Unites States uses this concept. -
The Social Contract
The Social contract was a contract that was supported by man philosophers in the 17th century. It is a contract that says people are willing to give up some of their freedom in exchange for security by a Sovereign. The Social contract is very influential in history, everyone uses it. The Social contract has also been around since the beginning of human history, but became very prominent during the Age of Enlightenment. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is Born
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a French philosopher who believed that everyone is born good and that society corrupts them. Jean-Jacques Rousseau also believed that the government should work for the benefit of the common good, and not just for the wealthy. He also believed in the social contract that says people should give up some of their freedoms for the benefit of the community. Jean-Jacques Rousseau also believed that everyone was equal and should be treated equally. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a statement that said that the 13 American colonies were independent states and no longer part of the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence was influenced by the enlightenment ideas of John Locke. Especially when John Locke said that everyone was created equal. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man is a document that stated the individual rights of everyone. This document was fundamental in the French Revolution and Humans rights. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was influenced by the idea of the social contract that was theorized by the French philosophers. -
The United States Bill of Rights
The United States Bill of Rights is a document that guaranteed a number of personal freedoms, and limited the government's power in judicial proceedings. This document was influenced by John Locke’s idea that everyone is equal and has rights. The Anti-Federalists wanted these rights protected, so they had them put in the United States Bill of Rights. -
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is a publication written by Mary Wollstonecraft. It responds to people in the 18th century who believed that women should not have an education. In it Mary Wollstonecraft says that women are an important part of society and should be treated with the same rights as men and be allowed to get an education. -
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Continued
This publication was very influential to history because it helped people understand that woman are equal to men and should be treated with the same rights as men and be allowed to get an education.
