Section 2: Enlightenment Philosophers

John Locke

English philosopher who wrote Two Treatises on Government (1689); believed all men are born with Natural Rights: Life, Liberty, and Property.

Locke’s Influence

Inspired Thomas Jefferson’s “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” in the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Locke’s View on Government

Supported a Limited Monarchy; believed people could overthrow a government that abused their rights.

Baron de Montesquieu

French aristocrat who wrote The Spirit of the Laws (1748); promoted Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial to prevent tyranny.

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government limits the power of the others to keep balance.

Jean

Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau’s Main Idea

Supported Direct Democracy; believed laws should represent the “general will” of the people.

Mary Wollstonecraft

British writer who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1791); early feminist who argued women deserve education and equal rights.

Wollstonecraft’s Legacy

Inspired future women’s movements and equality ideas.

William Wilberforce

British politician and abolitionist who fought to end the Atlantic slave trade.

Wilberforce’s Influence

Influenced by Enlightenment ideas; helped pass the 1807 law banning the slave trade in parts of the British Empire.

Olaudah Equiano

Former slave who worked with Wilberforce; his testimony helped expose the horrors of slavery.