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Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
Leviathan and Social Contract
“Expressed his views in a work called Leviathan (1651). The horrors of the English Civil War convinced him that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked."
"Hobbes called this agreement, by which people created government, the social contract."
Thomas establishes a relationship between the government and how important it is to keep this relationship. -
John Locke, published his Ideas
Natural Rights
"According to Locke, all people are born free and equal, with three natural right life, liberty, and property. The purpose of government, said Locke, is to protect these rights. If a government fails to do so, citizens have a right to overthrow it."
John establishes we have freedom and equal rights and the government must protect these facts. -
Mary Astel, Serious Proposal to the Ladies
Serious Proposal to the Ladies
"Women writers also tried to improve the status of women. In 1694, the English writer Mary Astell published A Serious Proposal to the Ladies. Her book addressed the lack of educational opportunities for women."
Mary wants to give more status to women going into more women rights. -
François Marie Arouet Left Paris
"1734, fearing another unpleasant jail term, Voltaire fled Paris."
"Published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, history, fiction, and drama... After his second jail term, Voltaire was exiled to England for two years. There, Voltaire came to admire the English government much more than his own."
Francois saw American government being more fair and equal and insulted his enemies (the government) who did not see this. -
Montesquieu and On the Spirit of Laws
On the Spirit of Laws (1748) and separation of powers
"Montesquieu oversimplified the British system (it did not actually separate powers this way). His idea, however, became a part of his most famous book, On the Spirit of Laws (1748). In his book, Montesquieu proposed that separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government."
Montesquieu started to apply equal powers throughout all the government which is the start to equality to all. -
Jean Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract
The Social Contract
"Jean Jacques Rousseau (roo•SOH), was passionately committed to individual freedom. The son of a poor Swiss watchmaker, Rousseau worked as an engraver, music teacher, tutor, and secretary."
"In 1762, he explained his political philosophy in a book called The
Social Contract."
Jean wanted to improve freedom for everyone and a little of equality since jean was born a son of a poor Swiss watchmaker, so he knew how it was like. -
Cesare Beccaria, Crimes and Punishments
Crimes and Punishments
"An Italian philosophe named Cesare Bonesana Beccaria (bayk•uh•REE•ah) turned his thoughts to the justice system. He believed that laws existed to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes."
"In his celebrated book On Crimes and Punishments (1764)... They included torturing of witnesses and suspects, irregular proceedings in trials, and punishments that were arbitrary or cruel."
Cesare thought justice needed to be more on social order not revenge. -
Mary Wollstonecraft, Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
"Among the most persuasive was Mary Wollstonecraft, who published an essay called A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792. In the essay, she disagreed with Rousseau that women’s education should be secondary to men’s ... Even if they are to be mothers, education will make them better mothers."
Mary wanted women to have more education to teach their children as mothers giving women more opportunities in education.
