Enlightenment Thinkers and Their Ideas

Hobbes

Humans are self-interested & constantly want more power
In the "state of nature" (without a strong govt.) people will engage in acts similar to civil war.
Religion = source of war (Sovereign over religion)
Without a strong government, people will be violent and life will be nasty, brutish and short
People must give up their natural rights in order to live peaceful, safe, prosperous lives.
Social Contract to do this.

Locke

Everyone has natural rights - life liberty property which cannot be taken away.
Social Contract between people and sovereign - govt has to protect natural rights or else breaks social contract and people can form a new govt
Wants representative govt like parliament however only men of property and business - people without property are unfit for govt

Montesquieu

Religious tolerance by the govt and people because it starts wars and violence
Govt: Did not like absolute monarchy and wanted limited monarchy or elected govt/ republic. People should use their morality and public interests to participate in govt which is put above individual interests
Three balancing branches in govt Legislative Executive and Judicial

Rousseau

People are born good and in state of nature they would be happy and peaceful
Government type: Direct democracy or a freely elected government/ republic but this could be corrupt
Monarchy corrupts people's natural goodness and even a republic is bad. Each person individually should vote on everything to make good decisions.
Self ruling = free
Presidents can be elected to enforce laws

Wollstonecraft

Women should have more rights than they do. Women are not inferior by nature the govt is just suppressing them. Women's first goal is to be a good mother.
Govt: not abs monarch - tyranny of men is bad because they never give women a chance. Women should have a say in govt.
Education: Equal for women and men so that women can prove themselves. Also for the poor - everyone.

Voltaire

Govt: Did not like democracy because people are not to be trusted - wanted one enlightened monarch not absolute with philosophers to help him but no nobles - civil rights and right to a fair trial.
Religion: Separation of church and state because church is unrelated to govt

Adam Smith

Govt: The govt does not interfere with economy. However govt should protect society
Economy: The market should be free with natural forces of supply and demand. Also a free enterprise system where businesses can compete.

Who supported a republic or limited monarchy?

Montesquieu and Locke

Who wanted an absolute monarch?

Hobbes

Who wanted a democracy?

Rosseau

Who wanted an enlightened monarch?

Voltaire

Who wanted womens rights?

Wollstonecraft

Who wanted a free enterprise system?

Adam Smith

Who wrote The Leviathan?

Hobbes

Who wrote Two Treatises of Government?

Locke

Who wrote Persian Letters?

Montesquieu

Who wrote The Social Contract?

Rousseau

Who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women?

Wollstonecraft

Who wrote A Treaty on Toleration?

Voltaire

Who wrote The Wealth of Nations?

Adam Smith