Philosophers
This philosopher wrote Two Treatises of Government and argued for natural rights: life, liberty, and property.
Who is John Locke
This idea says people have natural rights just by being human.
What are natural rights?
John Locke’s ideas on natural rights influenced this American document, which says "all men are created equal."
What is the Declaration of Independence?
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
Who is Voltaire?
This is the idea that people have rights that cannot be taken away.
What are natural rights?
Known for The Spirit of the Laws, he believed in separating government powers to prevent abuse.
Who is Montesquieu?
This is Rousseau’s idea that people agree to be governed in exchange for protection, giving up some freedoms.
What is the Social Contract?
This principle, promoted by Montesquieu, is seen in the U.S. government’s three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
What is the seperation of powers?
“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.”
Who is Rousseau?
This is a deal where people give up some freedom to be protected by the government.
What is Social Contract?
This philosopher argued that people are naturally selfish and need a strong government to control them.
Who is Thomas Hobbes?
Montesquieu believed this idea keeps any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
What is separation of powers?
Rousseau’s idea of the Social Contract inspired governments to think about serving the people’s will.
What is democracy?
“The mind is like a blank slate upon which experience writes.”
Who is John Locke?
This term means dividing power among different branches of government.
What is separation of powers?
A champion for women’s rights, she wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman to argue for equality.
Who is Mary Wollstonecraft?
Wollstonecraft argued that women should have this right to equal treatment in society and education.
What is equality?
William Wilberforce’s fight against the slave trade influenced this change in British law in 1807.
What is the abolition of the slave trade?
“If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?”
Who is Mary Wollstonecraft?
This term means the idea that people should be able to share their opinions freely.
What is freedom of speech?
This thinker believed in abolishing the slave trade and fought for freedom and human rights.
Who is William Wilberforce?
Voltaire promoted this as a fundamental right for people to express their opinions freely.
What is freedom of speech?
Wollstonecraft’s ideas about equality inspired movements toward this right for women.
What is women’s suffrage?
“It is the right of every man to be free.”
Who is William Wilberforce?
This is a term for the equality that Wollstonecraft believed women deserved.
What is gender equality?