Enlightenment Thinkers & Ideas

These flashcards cover key thinkers and concepts of the Enlightenment, focusing on their influence on modern government and rights.

John Locke

Advocated for natural rights of life, liberty, and property; believed in social contract.

Social Contract

The theory that government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.

Thomas Hobbes

Believed humans are naturally selfish; advocated for absolute monarchy to maintain order.

Leviathan

Hobbes' work arguing for a strong, central authority to prevent chaos.

Baron de Montesquieu

Proposed separation of government powers into three branches with checks and balances.

Voltaire

Champion of freedom of expression; known for his quote on defending the rights to express differing opinions.

Adam Smith

Economist who argued for limited government intervention in the economy.

Magna Carta

Document that limited the power of monarchs and established rule of law.

English Bill of Rights

Further limited the powers of monarchy and asserted rights of Parliament.

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson, heavily influenced by Locke, asserting no taxation without representation.

French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Inspired by the U.S. Declaration, emphasizing freedom and equality.