Enlightenment Basics
Key Thinkers
Core Ideas
100

This is a period in the 18th century where people started using reason to understand the world, not just faith or tradition.

The Enlightenment

100

This English philosopher argued people were born with natural rights, like life, liberty, and property.

John Locke

100

According to John Locke, these are fundamental rights that everyone is born with.

Natural rights

200

The main idea behind Enlightenment thinking was using this to understand the world.

Reason

200

This French philosopher proposed the idea of a government with three separate branches to check and balance power.

Montesquieu

200

This is the concept of people giving up some freedom in exchange for protection and security from a government.

Social contract

300

This is another name for the Enlightenment.

Age of Reason

300

What president helped with the enlightenment

Thomas Jefferson

300

What did John Locke consider a government's most important role or duty?

Protect or preserve the natural rights of the people

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