What was the Enlightenment?
A period of severe economic depression caused by over-speculation in colonial ventures and joint-stock companies A religious revival movement led by John Wesley and George Whitefield that swept Britain and the American colonies A military alliance of European monarchs formed to prevent the spread of French Revolutionary ideas after 1789 An 18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, individual rights, and skepticism of traditional authority
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What did John Locke argue about natural rights?
Rights are granted entirely by rulers, not nature; so the state may expand or revoke them as it sees fit Kings have absolute divine right granted by God, so subjects have no legitimate grounds to resist royal authority All people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property; government exists to protect these rights Only the wealthy landowning class possesses rights, since property ownership proves the capacity for rational judgment
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What was Montesquieu's contribution to political thought?
Direct democracy for all adult citizens, where every person votes personally on each law without representatives The separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny Government ownership and direction of all major industries to ensure equal distribution of wealth and opportunity Absolute monarchy as the best form of government, since only a strong central ruler can maintain order and peace
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What was the French Revolution (1789)?
War with England over colonies; ended in France's loss of Canada Overthrew monarchy; inspired by Enlightenment but led to Terror A religious reformation in which French Protestants overthrew the Catholic Church and seized its properties A peaceful transition to democracy negotiated between Louis XVI and the National Assembly without violence
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What did Rousseau argue in 'The Social Contract'?
Only philosophers should rule because most citizens lack the wisdom and education needed to govern themselves Government by consent through social contract and general will Individuals have no obligations to the community or common good, only to their own self-interest and property Absolute monarchy founded on divine right and royal inheritance, with subjects owing unconditional obedience
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What was the significance of the Scientific Revolution?
It established the scientific method and transformed understanding of nature through figures like Galileo, Newton, and Copernicus It was limited entirely to England, where the Royal Society monopolized scientific research and publication It had no impact on Enlightenment philosophy, since thinkers like Locke and Voltaire ignored natural science entirely It affected only astronomy, leaving biology, chemistry, and medicine unchanged by the new experimental methods
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American revolutionaries drew heavily on Enlightenment political philosophy when justifying independence from Britain. Which connection best illustrates this influence?
Hint: Think about the phrase 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' and where similar language about natural rights first appeared.
The Declaration of Independence echoed Locke's language of natural rights and government by consent, arguing that a government violating those rights could be rightfully overthrown Enlightenment philosophy had no influence in the colonies since most philosophers' works were banned by British law The Declaration of Independence was modeled directly on Rousseau's argument for absolute monarchy under a single sovereign The American revolutionaries rejected all Enlightenment philosophy, basing independence solely on economic grievances over taxation
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