enlightenment/revolution

thomas hobbes

• government shoud preserve peace/stability

• single monarchy

• men are inherently evil and bad

• created social contract (in Leviathan, but based on submitting to absolute authority)

• absolute sovereignty (the ruler’s authority is aboslute and has no limits)

John locke

• all men are born equal

• mankind are inherently good and kind

• natural rights

• government should secure natural rights

• revolting is a last resort measure when the government is too authoritative

• “pursuit of life, liberty, happiness, and land”

Rousseau

• men are equal and good

• corrupted by civilization and social inequality

• society organized by the will of the people

• government made up by the community

• Raised in Sweden

• government for the beneift of the citizens

• supported education for all, as it was unequal

• social contract (individuals surrender rights to a community, not a single ruler)

Voltaire

• religious freedom

• freedom of speech (people should be allowed to criticize the government)

• focus on protecting the interests of people who contribute to society

• edcuated elites in government and a consitutional monarchy

montesquieu

• seperation of powers amongst the branches of government

• studied law

• people aren’t rational

• checks and balances = equal protection

beccaria

• laws must be clear

• no torture

• no death penalty

• innocent until proven guilty

• right to a fair trial

mary wollenstonecraft

• voting rights for women

• women should hold office spaces

• women get education

american revolution

• taxation without respresentation

• independence from british monarchy

• supported by france

• taxation laws like the Sugar and Stamp act

• intolerable acts that closed the boston bay

french revolution

• causes

  • french elite spending way too much money and running out of money from war debts

  • raised taxes to the Estates-General

  • economic crisis

  • third estate essentially no representation despite like 90% of the population

• Declaration of the Rights of Man established a constitutional monarchy and led to France becoming a republic (men are all equal)

• Convention (new ruling body) created another new consitution and the Committee of Public Safety

• Reign of Terror - anyone not supporting the new republic or the old monarchy was beheaded

• Napoleon overthrew the Directory (new consititution after Robespierre’s death)

Haiti revolution

• independence from France

• Pierre Toussaint L’Ouveture led the revolt

• Many Haitians were enslaved and had enough

• independent and abolished slavery

• inspired by the French revolution