Enlightment

• What revolution in intellectual activity changed Europeans' view of government and society?

  The Enlightenment
• Why are the various freedoms enjoyed in many countries today significant?

  They are a result of Enlightenment thinking.
• What are the key terms associated with the Enlightenment?

  • Enlightenment
  • Social contract
  • John Locke
  • Philosophe
  • Voltaire
  • Montesquieu
  • Rousseau
  • Mary Wollstonecraft
• What did scholars and philosophers begin to reevaluate after the Scientific Revolution?

  They reevaluated old notions about government, religion, economics, and education.
• Who were the two key English political thinkers of the 1600s mentioned in the study material?

  Thomas Hobbes and John Locke
• What did Hobbes believe about human nature?

  He believed that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked.
• How did Hobbes view the role of government?

  He believed people had to hand over their rights to a strong ruler for law and order.
• What is the title of Hobbes's work that expresses his views on government?

  Leviathan
• What did Hobbes mean by the term "social contract"?

  It is the agreement by which people created a government.
• What type of government did Hobbes advocate for?

  An absolute monarchy
• What are the three natural rights according to John Locke?

  Life, liberty, and property
• What is the purpose of government according to Locke?

  To protect the natural rights of the people.
• What are the five core concepts of the philosophes' beliefs?

  1. Reason
  2. Nature
  3. Happiness
  4. Progress
  5. Liberty
• Who was the most brilliant and influential of the philosophes?

  François Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire
• What did Voltaire often use in his writings against his opponents?

  Satire
• What was Voltaire's stance on freedom of speech?

  He defended the right to free speech, even for those he disagreed with.
• What is the concept of separation of powers proposed by Montesquieu?

  It is the division of power among different branches of government.
• What did Montesquieu argue would prevent total control of government?

  Separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control.
• How did Montesquieu's ideas influence the United States Constitution?

  His ideas about separation of powers and checks and balances became the basis for it.
• Who was Jean Jacques Rousseau?

  A philosophe committed to individual freedom.
• What did Rousseau believe about civilization?

  He believed it corrupted people's natural goodness.
• How did Rousseau's view of the social contract differ from Hobbes's?

  Rousseau saw it as an agreement among free individuals to create a society.
• What did Rousseau argue about legitimate government?

  It comes from the consent of the governed.
• What did Rousseau believe about titles of nobility?

  They should be abolished.
• Who was Cesare Beccaria?

  An Italian philosophe focused on the justice system.
• What did Beccaria believe about the purpose of laws?

  Laws exist to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes.
• What book did Rousseau explain his political philosophy in?

  The Social Contract
• How did Rousseau's view of the social contract differ from Hobbes' view?

  Rousseau saw it as an agreement among free individuals to create a society and government, while Hobbes viewed it as an agreement between society and its government.

  
• What did Rousseau argue about legitimate government?

  He argued that legitimate government comes from the consent of the governed.
• In what way did Rousseau's vision of democracy differ from Locke's?

  Rousseau believed in a much broader democracy than Locke had promoted.
• What did Rousseau believe about titles of nobility?

  He believed that titles of nobility should be abolished.
• How did Rousseau's ideas influence the French Revolution?

  His ideas inspired many leaders who overthrew the monarchy in 1789.
• Who was Cesare Bonesana Beccaria?

  An Italian philosophe who focused on the justice system.
• What was Beccaria's belief about the purpose of laws?

  He believed that laws existed to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes.
• What abuses of justice did Beccaria criticize?

  He criticized torturing witnesses and suspects, irregular trial proceedings, and arbitrary or cruel punishments.
• What did Beccaria argue regarding the trial process for accused individuals?

  He argued that a person accused of a crime should receive a speedy trial.
• What was Beccaria's stance on capital punishment?

  He believed that capital punishment should be abolished.
• On what principle did Beccaria base his ideas about justice?

  He based his ideas on the principle that governments should seek the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
• Which Enlightenment thinkers are mentioned in the study material?

  Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Beccaria, and Wollstonecraft.
• What are the major ideas of the Enlightenment and their impacts?

  • Natural rights (Locke): Fundamental to U.S. Declaration of Independence
  • Separation of powers (Montesquieu): Used in new constitutions in France, U.S., and Latin America
  • Freedom of thought and expression (Voltaire): Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights
  • Abolishment of torture (Beccaria): Outlawed or reduced in Europe and Americas
  • Religious freedom: Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights
  • Women’s equality (Wollstonecraft): Inspired women's rights groups in Europe and North America