Enlightenment People / ideas

Natural Rights —

John Locke → Believed all people are born with rights to life, liberty, and property; governments exist to protect these rights.

Separation of Powers —

Montesquieu → Government power should be divided into three branches to prevent tyranny: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Freedom of Speech and Religion —

Voltaire → Advocated for individual freedom of expression and religious tolerance; opposed censorship and injustice.

Social Contract —

Jean-Jacques Rousseau → Governments get their power from the consent of the governed; citizens agree to follow laws in exchange for protection of rights.

Criminal Justice Reform 

Cesare Beccaria → Opposed torture and cruel punishments; believed laws exist to preserve order, not to avenge crimes.

Women’s Equality 

Mary Wollstonecraft → Argued that women deserve equal education and opportunities as men to be virtuous and useful citizens.

Economic Freedom —

Adam Smith → Supported free markets guided by supply and demand (“invisible hand”); opposed heavy government control of the economy.