France and the Age of Enlightenment

Opposition to absolute monarchy

No ruler should have unlimited power

Separation of powers

Power should be distributed across different branches of government

Liberty and individual rights

all men possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property

Equality

All men are created equal and no one should be born into more power than another

Free-market capitalism

governments should allow markets to operate with minimal regulations

What did the ideas of Enlightenment do?

Caused people to start challenging the kings and the fundamental principals of french government

Introduced the idea that all men possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property. (Inalienable rights)

John Locke

mercantilism

each country sought to produce as much as possible domestically and import as little as possible

was against mercantilism and introduced ideas like free market capitalism, supply and demand, comparative advantage, and minimal regulations

Adam Smith

Introduced the idea that no ruler should have unlimited power

Jean-Jacquse Rousseau and John Locke