Enlightenment Ideas: Locke, Rousseau, and Democratic Documents

The Meaning of Enlightenment

The Enlightenment refers to the use of reason in shaping people’s ideas about society and politics.

Key Enlightenment Ideas

1. The ability to reason is unique to humans.
2. Reason can be used to solve problems and improve people’s lives.
3. Reason can free people from ignorance.
4. The natural world is governed by laws that can be discovered through reason.
5. Natural laws also govern human behavior.
6. Governments should reflect natural laws and encourage education and debate.

John Locke's View on Government

Locke believed government should be a contract between a ruler and the people. This contract binds both sides, limiting the ruler’s power. Locke also asserted that all people possess certain natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property. If a ruler fails to protect these rights, the people have the right to change the government.

Rousseau's View on Government

Rousseau argued that government should express the will, or desire, of the people. According to Rousseau, citizens give the government the power to make and enforce laws. However, if these laws do not serve the people, the government should relinquish its power.

Principal Characteristics of Democratic Documents

Magna Carta

1. Limited the power of the monarchy.
2. Identified people’s rights to property.
3. Established people’s rights to trial by a jury.

The English Bill of Rights

1. Outlawed cruel and unusual punishment.
2. Guaranteed free speech for members of Parliament.

The U.S. Declaration of Independence

1. Declared that people have natural rights that governments must protect.
2. Argued that people have the right to replace their government.

The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

1. Stated that the French government received its power from the people.
2. Strengthened individual rights and equality among citizens.

Civil War and Reform in England

In 1642, the power struggle erupted into civil war. King Charles I was forced to leave power.

In 1660, people convinced Charles II to become king.

In 1689, Parliament approved the English Bill of Rights.

The Meaning of the Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror was a bloody period of the French Revolution during which the government executed thousands of its opponents and others at the guillotine.