Enlightenment

• John Locke: Enlightenment thinker who believed in natural rights (life, liberty, property) and influenced modern democracy.

• Montesquieu: Philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

• Rousseau: Thinker who emphasized the social contract and the idea of popular sovereignty.

• Voltaire: Advocate of freedom of speech, religion, and separation of church and state.

• Natural Rights: Rights inherent to all humans, not granted by government.

• Social Contract: The theory that individuals give up some freedoms for an organized society.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• The influence of Enlightenment ideas on political revolutions.

• The role of reason and logic in challenging traditional authority.

• The connection between Enlightenment philosophies and modern democratic systems.

Review Questions:

1. How did Enlightenment thinkers influence political and social change? It created freedom, ideas on political revolutions. 

2. Compare and contrast the ideas of Locke and Rousseau. Locke believed in natural rights and influenced modern democracy, while Rousseau wanted social contract and the idea of popular sovereignty. They both wanted to change to make the place better without the government. 

3. What was the impact of Montesquieu's idea of separation of powers? Wanting to make sure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful. It led to the creation of systems like the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) in the United States and other democracies, which helps protect individual freedoms and prevent tyranny.