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Key Thinkers of the Enlightenment

Explore the key Enlightenment thinkers, including Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Adam Smith, and their influential ideas on government, society, and economics. Discover their perspectives on separation of power, social contracts, human nature, and laissez-faire economics.

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Key Thinkers of the Enlightenment

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  1. Key Thinkers of the Enlightenment

  2. Montesquieu • 1689-1755 • French philosopher • “Government should be set up so no man be afraid of another” • Helped enforce the idea of separation of power (Checks and balances)

  3. Said French society was split into three groups: Monarchy, aristocracy and the commons • Anti-slavery • Also said weather affects societies: Cold climates have societies that are too stiff, hot climates are too hot-tempered • France had an ideal climate

  4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau • 1712-1778 • Born in Switzerland, but did a lot of work in France • His ideas helped motivate the French Revolution

  5. Rousseau

  6. Nature vs. Society • Mankind is good by nature • Mankind is corrupted by society

  7. Social Contract • Rousseau published “The Social Contract” in 1762 • Society must create institutions of law in order to exist • The people are the ones that write the law • Government is run by a few people, known as magistrates

  8. Education • Rousseau thought childhood was broken into three stages • Up to age 12, complex thinking is not possible and kids behave like animals • Ages 12-16, reason starts to develop • After age 16, children develop into adults

  9. The Pantheon • This is where Rousseau is buried today. It used to be a church, but now is used as a burial for famous French men and women.

  10. Adam Smith • 1723-1790 • Born in Scotland • Economist

  11. “Wealth of Nations” • Written in 1776 • Advocate of free trade • A free market is chaotic, but works out in the end • Supported a “laissez faire” policy • Laissez faire is a “hands off” approach when it come to government and the economy

  12. Adam Smith

  13. Human nature is greedy • Competition in the free market will keep prices low • Did not want to see the creation of monopolies

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