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THOMAS HOBBES JOHN LOCKE BARON de

MONTESQUIEU

People are naturally People are basically The separation of

cruel, greedy, and reasonable and moral. powers is the best
selfish. way to protect liberty.
People have certain
People entered into a natural rights. Each branch of
social contract, in government should
order to live in an A government has a duty serve as a check on
organized society. to the people it governs. the others.
If a government fails, the
Only an absolute people have the right to
monarchy can ensure overthrow it.
an orderly society.

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 Thinkers called philosophes believed that the use of reason could lead
to reforms of government, law, and society.

MARY
VOLTAIRE ROUSSEAU WOLLSTONECRAFT

Defended the principle Believed that people were Argued that a woman
of freedom of speech. basically good. should be able to decide
Argued that government what is in her own
Used wit to expose controls should be minimal interest and should not be
and should only be imposed completely dependent on
abuses and corruption.
by a freely elected her husband.
Opposed the slave government. Called for equal
trade and religious Felt the good of the education for girls and
prejudice. community should be placed boys.
above individual interests.

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Enlightened despots were absolute rulers who used their power to bring In the 1600s and 1700s, the arts evolved to meet changing tastes.
about political and social change.
LITERATURE COURTLY ART
Literature developed new forms Artists and designers developed the
FREDERICK THE CATHERINE THE GREAT JOSEPH II and a wide new audience. rococo style, which was personal,
GREAT
Middle class readers enjoyed elegant, and charming.
stories about their own times.
Exerted tight control over Was interested in Great numbers of novels were
Most radical of
subjects, but saw himself Enlightenment ideas but enlightened despots.
written.
as a “servant of the intended to give up no power.
Granted toleration to
state.” Made some limited reforms in Protestants and Jews. MUSIC
Tolerated religious law and government. Ended censorship and New kinds of musical entertainment evolved,
differences. Granted nobles a charter of tried to control the such as ballets and operas.
rights. Catholic Church.
Distributed seeds and Music followed ordered, structured forms.
Criticized the institution of Sold church property to
tools to peasants.
serfdom. build hospitals. Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick
Abolished serfdom. Handel, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were
brilliant and influential composers of this time.

NATURE LIBERTY

REASON

HAPPINESS PROGRESS