CORE ENLIGHTENMENT PRINCIPLES
Rights that all people possess simply by being human, not granted by the government. John Locke identified these as life, liberty, and property. No government should take these away.
What are Natural Rights
An intellectual revolution that changed how people thought about government, rights, and human freedom
What was the Enlightenment
The rule states no government should impose a single religion on its people or punish citizens for their beliefs. People have the right to freedom of conscience.
What is Religious Tolerance
Believed that one person was in charge and his power was given by God
What was the divine right of kings
Ultimate political authority rests with the people. Government exists to serve the people's interests, not the reverse.
What is Popular Sovereignty
challenged centuries-old traditions, rejected the idea that kings ruled by divine right, and argued instead that all people possess natural rights simply by being human.
Who were philosophers
People have the right to overthrow a government that repeatedly violates the social contract and denies them their natural rights.
What is the Right of Revolution
Each branch of government has the power to limit the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful and creating tyranny.
What is Checks and balances
Government exists by agreement between the people and the government. The government's authority comes from the consent of the governed. If a government violates the social contract by destroying natural rights, the people have the right to alter or abolish it.
What is the Social Contract
Rule states that Government should be divided into separate branches—legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws) so that no single person or group can hold all power.
What is the Separation of Powers