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Enlightenment Dbq Essay

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Our society would not be what it is today if it wasn't for the three French philosophers for the individual freedom, freedom in government, religion, economy, and gender equality. John Locke, Voltaire, and Adam Smith were four of the many great philosophers, who changed our society and the shaped the capitalistic democratic world that we live in today. These philosophers lived in a time of bright and amazing new ideas, known as the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. Here are the main ideas of Enlightenment.

John Locke (1632-1704) was one of the three main French philosophers. Locke lived in a government that was an absolute monarchy. Parliaments would sometimes give the king or queen advice. Locke wrote these in 1689, 87 years before the Declaration of Indepence. John Locke said that we must consider that all men are in “a state of perfect freedom”(Doc 1). Locke was part of two government branches, the legislative and the executive branch. Locke also states that if the government fails, then the people are the ones who get to create a new government. …show more content…

Voltaire wrote poems, novels, essays, plays, and more than 20,000 personal letters. Voltaire's idea of a better society, was freedom in religion. The Royal Exchange in London was where the representatives of all nations meet and try to profess the same religion. But Volaire states that “if there is one religion, then it would be a arbitrary, and if there was two, people would kill one and others, but if there was a multitude of religions, there would be peace and happiness”(Doc 2). Voltaire's idea is similar to John Locke's idea. People should have freedom of what they want or

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From the 16th to 18th century, countries in Europe were experiencing new ideas and reforms. Philosophers like Locke believed in social equality. They have discussed the purpose of a government and spread their ideas. Locke’s ideas led to the revolution in France, who didn’t have rights under absolute monarch’s control. After the French gained their rights, people in Haiti started to fight because they wanted to have the same rights that French gained during the reform.

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With the changes seen in the economy, war & leaders, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 can be considered a part of the Enlightenment. Evidence shown through historical documents proves this stance. Although some historical events during the Glorious Revolution refute my stance, the Glorious Revolution was indeed a part of the Enlightenment because of the major shifts England had during and after this time period: Influencers, Religious tolerance and changes in governmental policies. Stated in the English Bill of Rights which were passed by Parliament and ratified by William III-King of England. “That the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by royal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal”(Doc.3)

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This sharing of power added ideas from the newly formed government that focused on the freedoms of citizens in England. Voltaire contended that the English government had successfully limited the power of the monarchy by affirming the power of the nobility, criticizing the French feudal system for its inability to share political power amongst the citizens of France (6). Advocating a limited monarchy to hold political discussions concerning the progress of the French government towards liberal reforms during the French Revolution. Voltaire as an enlightened philosophe, published papers about the rationality of the French government, which influenced his attitude towards the English constitutional monarchy that implemented the enlightened ideal of liberty. John Locke wrote that the purpose of electing legislative powers was to create laws and rules that protected the “properties of all the members of society,” a natural right of mankind (5).

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The Age of Reason In Europe, during the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason, many philosophers gathered together to discuss their different but similar ideas to help shape the world we live in today. In the late 17th and 18th century, four enlightenment philosophers named John Locke, Voltaire, Adam Smith, and Mary Wollstonecraft focused on the same main idea. They believed in individual rights and presented their arguments through religion, government, economics, and equality for women.

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Enlightenment philosophers think that all people should have rights. John Locke, Voltaire, Adam Smith, and Mary Wollstonecraft all believe that people need their rights to have a happy life. The main topic between these four philosophers is that all people have rights to maintain a happy life but not all of them agree on the gender. John Locke believes in natural rights and that the government makes the consequences. For example if you do something wrong you have the right but there are consequences.

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Written in 1690, Two Treatises of Government by John Locke discusses some of the most important values a society should have. Locke believes that all people enter this world with three natural rights: life, liberty, and property. If a leader attempts to take away these natural rights, the people are entitled to the ability to revolt against their ruler. Since each and every person is guaranteed these three rights, it ensures that all the members of the given society will be treated equally from the very start of their time in this world. Moreover, the idea that all people are equal, all people live in freedom, and a leader does not have absolute power, is stressed throughout Locke’s document.

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Some of Locke’s views include that governments were originally formed from people wanting to be protected from physical harm and that a government is a form of contract stating that the citizens will relinquish some of their rights for the promise of protection. He also believed that governments receive power from the people, so they need to follow the will of the people and uphold their

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John Locke is one of the philosophers who emphasizes freedom and the belief that people in the state of nature are rational, kind, and cooperative as he expresses on his “Second Treatise of Government (1689).” John Locke’s natural rights, acquired by everyone when born, includes rights to life, liberty, and property. Locke believes that individuals have rights that should be protected and that government, preferably a limited one as he believes, is the best equipped type of government to ensure those rights. It is important to understand that any elected government can be overthrown in this system of a limited government where everyone has natural rights, and if overthrown, citizens may elect a new government, very similar today’s democratic

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John Locke was born during a time of political upheaval in England and other European nations. It is this politically unstable environment that most likely inspired him to write is Second Treatise of Government. In this book Locke proposes solutions to the instability mainly through implementation of a limited government which uses political power to protect individual’s property. He is widely regarded as a strong defender of limited government and his legacy lives on in the constitutions of many modern nations including the United States, in which his work was highly influential in promoting democracy.

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Locke believes that government should exist to promote the well-being of its citizens, both materially and spiritually. A good government, in Locke's view, should provide its citizens with a level of freedom that is consistent with the natural law ordained by God. This includes the freedom to pursue one's own interests and to enjoy the fruits of one's labor. Locke's Two Treatises on Government were written during a time of political turmoil in England, but they were not published until later, after Locke had returned from exile. Despite this, Locke's ideas had a profound impact on Western political philosophy.

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The most important philosopher of the Enlightenment is Francois Marie Arouet, who was known by the name of Voltaire. Voltaire lived from 1694 to 1778. He was in many ways a representative philosopher during his century. He wrote over 70 volumes of books and over 21,000 letters based on his thoughts and beliefs. He was known to attack beliefs that he didn’t quite agree with.

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He was a French philosopher who wrote the Age of Enlightenment about freedom, and democracy. Much of his writing made the aristocracy and monarchies furious because he was going against them. His ideas influenced people in the American Revolution and even the French Revolution. Thomas Paine was influenced by Voltaire in writing the Common Sense pamphlet. The ideas in his writing influenced the line in the second paragraph “all men are created equal” and also the 1st amendment about religion and freedom in the Declaration of Independence (Unknown 4).

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Locke's, The Second Treatise of Government spoke about the sovereignty. This rest with the people and also the government which is legitimate have natural rights as well as a social contract. He was favor of separation of the church and state. He was against the authoritarianism. He believed and wanted individuals to reason rather than act on their opinions.

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Brittany L Reed Michael Stoner HIS 105 April 3rd, 2016 Primary Resource Assignment The enlightenment period was a movement that strived for reason and the thought and power of individuals to solve problems. Different ideas and approaches were thought up by different philosophers, to achieve different goals but they all had one thing in common and that was to push for progress. Most of the philosophers believed in humanity and the future of the world, and while some of their ideas are not commonly used today in society, they most definitely were instrumental to the way that we live our life today. John Locke : English Philosopher (1632-1704)

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Only those who are born with true philosophical understanding can rule. In the Second Treatise by John Locke, Locke addresses the state of nature, which is essentially equality and freedom. Even though people have liberty, they still need to obey natural laws. On the contrary of Plato’s just city, Locke believes that absolute authority is not a civil government. A civil society is where the majority rules.

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