9/22 Englightenment #2

The Enlightenment ideas were slow to influence the Europeans because they were considered wrong. The ideas the enlightenment thinkers came up with went against the government and church. For example, the idea of John Locke's social contract was unheard of by the government. His idea was that citizens would have natural rights and the government would protect those rights. Also he thought that all people were born equal. Another idea came from Montesquieu. His idea was that there should be different branches of government and checks and balances. This would separate the powers of the government and take away the power from the ruler.

9/13 Enlightenment #1

Compare the views of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke on human nature. How did these views influence their ideas on the proper role of government?

Thomas Hobbes thought that humans were selfish and wicked, and that they needed a ruler with total power to control them. John Locke on the other hand, had positive views on humans and favored self government. The purpose of this was to protect the 3 natural rights, life liberty, and property. John Locke influenced the Bill of Rights which was to protect the citizens rights. Hobbes gave the idea that the government needed some kind of agreement with the thoughts of a social contract.

S.S. 9

Hi my name is Meghan Stepanek, and this is my blog for S.S. 9.