Eva Newsom

WC Enlightenment DBQ
The Main Ideas of the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment philosophers were any well-educated person that contributed ideas towards
the Age of Enlightenment. The ideas of the Enlightenment usually involved things such as natural laws or
social sciences. The four most important philosophers were Locke, Voltaire, Smith, and Wollstonecraft.
These Enlightenment philosophers had ideas of individual freedom in government, religion, economy,
and gender equality.
John Locke believed in freedom of government and that people had the right to rule the
government. He also believed that people should [also] be equal one amongst another without
subordination or subjection (Second Treatise on Civil Government). People have the power to prevent a
failed government and escape it. When the government fails, people are then responsible for creating
their own government. As expressed by Locke, people have the right to rule the government and people
are all equal no matter what rank they are.
Voltaire believed in freedom of religion and that having the government run by multiple religions
would bring peace. The Royal Exchange in London is a prime example as to how multiple religions can
bring peace. The Royal Exchange unites the representatives of all nations to meet and collaborate on
shared goals. Each religion seems to depend on another which leads to peace and cooperation. As
expressed by Voltaire, the government works best with people working together and collaborating on a
single idea.
Adam Smith believed in freedom of economy and that everyone would benefit the economy if left
to pursue their own desires. According to him, [w]ithout government interference the obvious and simple
system of natural liberty establishes itself of its own accord (The Wealth of Nations). Even without
intending to, everyone contributes to the annual revenue of society. When people do things for their own
interests, they can also benefit others. The economy only really works when the people are happy and
wealthy. As expressed by Smith, without money the people will not buy as many things as they would if
they had money and the economy would be at a disadvantage.
Mary Wollstonecraft believed in gender equality and that women were equal to men and
deserved the same rights. She also believed that women must be [] educated by the same pursuits as
men (A Vindication of the Rights of Woman) and treated with the same respect. Doing so would help
mankind advance and become more virtuous. Women can only be equal and be of the same rank if
given the chance. Without the support of both genders, women would not be able to have the same
education or skills as a man would. As expressed by Wollstonecraft, womens right to equality would
result in a wiser and virtuous society.

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Although the Enlightenment philosophers brought ideas of freedom, many others did not accept
their new thoughts because it went against the old order and more specifically, the church. The ideas
they had, though, eventually influenced and helped create the society we live in today. Without the
Enlightenment philosophers, everything that we know would be different. Without them our government,
respect to religion, economy, and acceptance of womens rights would not exist.