1. Hobbes,
Locke,
and
Rousseau
Created and used with permission by Daniel Ewert,
Friendswood High School

2. Hobbes Locke Rousseau
Thoughts People create
gov’t in
exchange for
law and order
People are
born with
natural rights,
but give up
some freedom
to protect
these rights
The only good gov’t is
one formed out of
free will by the
people, to protect the
people
Gov’t favored Absolute
Monarchy
Self-gov’t Self-gov’t
Quotes In a state of
nature, Life is
solitary, poor,
nasty brutish,
and short
All mankind...
being all equal
and
independent,
no one ought
to harm
another in his
life, health,
liberty or
possessions.
The only legitimate
gov’t comes from the
consent of the
governed

3. The Philosophes
• French word for philosophers
• 5 important concepts formed their
core philosophy
• Reason: Truth through reason
• Nature: Nature is good and reasonable
• Happiness: Through nature you find
happiness. Happiness is possible
• Progress: Society should progress
• Liberty: Envied the rights the English
had won

4. French writers and
reformers
• Voltaire:
• Wrote over 70 political essays and books
• Criticized the clergy and gov’t
• Made many enemies
• Freedom of Speech
• Montesquieu
• Believed Britain was the best governed
country in the world.
• Described the idea behind separation of
powers