Thinkers Absolutism and enlightenment

Thomas Hobbes

Defended tradition; said people needed a strong ruler to maintain order; believed in an absolute ruler. Went against enlightenment ideas and wanted to keep things the same

John Locke

 Believed in common good; government must be established with consent of people, people are born with life, liberty, and property (three rights of life), governments job to protect those rights, and if government fails to do so people have the right to change/abolish it

Voltaire

Defended freedom of speech and religion

Baron de Montesquieu

Believed power should be divided into 3 branches to create checks and balances, Judicial (interprets the laws), executive (enforces the laws), and legislative (makes the laws)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

People should create their own government, only giving up some rights in exchange for protection

Cesare Bonesana Beccaria

Believed punishments should fit the crime; wanted a speedy trial; he was against torture and the death penalty

Mary Wollstonecraft

Believed women should have access to same education and jobs as men