Key Thinkers of the Enlightenment Montesquieu n 1689

Key Thinkers of the Enlightenment

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

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

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

Rousseau

n Nature vs. Society – Mankind is good by nature – Mankind is corrupted by society

Social Contract n Rousseau in 1762 published “The Social Contract” – 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

Education n 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

The Pantheon n 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.

Adam Smith n 1723 -1790 n Born in Scotland n Economist

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

n Adam Smith

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