ipl-logo

Enlightenment Dbq Essay

483 Words2 Pages

Our society would not be what it is today if it wasn't for the three French philosophers for the individual freedom, freedom in government, religion, economy, and gender equality. John Locke, Voltaire, and Adam Smith were four of the many great philosophers, who changed our society and the shaped the capitalistic democratic world that we live in today. These philosophers lived in a time of bright and amazing new ideas, known as the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. Here are the main ideas of Enlightenment.

John Locke (1632-1704) was one of the three main French philosophers. Locke lived in a government that was an absolute monarchy. Parliaments would sometimes give the king or queen advice. Locke wrote these in 1689, 87 years before the Declaration of Indepence. John Locke said that we must consider that all men are in “a state of perfect freedom”(Doc 1). Locke was part of two government branches, the legislative and the executive branch. Locke also states that if the government fails, then the people are the ones who get to create a new government. …show more content…

Voltaire wrote poems, novels, essays, plays, and more than 20,000 personal letters. Voltaire's idea of a better society, was freedom in religion. The Royal Exchange in London was where the representatives of all nations meet and try to profess the same religion. But Volaire states that “if there is one religion, then it would be a arbitrary, and if there was two, people would kill one and others, but if there was a multitude of religions, there would be peace and happiness”(Doc 2). Voltaire's idea is similar to John Locke's idea. People should have freedom of what they want or

Show More
Related

  • Glorious Revolution Dbq Analysis

    672 Words  | 3 Pages

    With the changes seen in the economy, war & leaders, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 can be considered a part of the Enlightenment. Evidence shown through historical documents proves this stance. Although some historical events during the Glorious Revolution refute my stance, the Glorious Revolution was indeed a part of the Enlightenment because of the major shifts England had during and after this time period: Influencers, Religious tolerance and changes in governmental policies. Stated in the English Bill of Rights which were passed by Parliament and ratified by William III-King of England. “That the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by royal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal”(Doc.3)

    Read More

  • How Did John Locke Influence The Declaration Of Independence

    835 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Locke believed this as well, that the citizens should be able to change the government if needed. However, this also showed what Thomas Jefferson was going through. He was not only founding a government, but he was rebelling against one. He disliked the idea of monarchy, and giving total control to the government. This further shows that John Locke had an influence on Pres.

    Read More

  • Enlightenment Thinkers Dbq Essay

    560 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Enlightenment period gave way to many great thinkers, known in this era as philosophes, who fought to improve society through reason and their influential statuses. The main idea of Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Mary Wollstonecraft, was to change perspectives on topics of interest, that were previously discredited, in society. John Locke, who wrote the Second Treatise on Civil Government of 1690, founded the ethical idea that all men were entitled to their natural rights. Natural rights, from John Locke’s point of view, could be defined as fundamental principles possessed by each man that is set forth by nature itself. The idea of all men being equal in “what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose [manage] of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of nature…

    Read More

  • Enlightenment Dbq Essay

    1053 Words  | 5 Pages

    En·light·en·ment noun 1. the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened. 2. the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement of the 18th century, characterized by belief in the power of human reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational doctrine.

    Read More

  • How Did Voltaire Think That All People Should Have Rights

    398 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Locke believes that natural rights is the way to go, he also believes that everyone should have these rights. Voltaire believes that England had a great system and that it should stay like that. Voltaire still agrees with John Locke in a way

    Read More

  • John Locke's Two Treatises Of Government

    259 Words  | 2 Pages

    Written in 1690, Two Treatises of Government by John Locke discusses some of the most important values a society should have. Locke believes that all people enter this world with three natural rights: life, liberty, and property. If a leader attempts to take away these natural rights, the people are entitled to the ability to revolt against their ruler. Since each and every person is guaranteed these three rights, it ensures that all the members of the given society will be treated equally from the very start of their time in this world. Moreover, the idea that all people are equal, all people live in freedom, and a leader does not have absolute power, is stressed throughout Locke’s document.

    Read More

  • John Locke's Second Treatise Of Government

    1342 Words  | 6 Pages

    John Locke was born during a time of political upheaval in England and other European nations. It is this politically unstable environment that most likely inspired him to write is Second Treatise of Government. In this book Locke proposes solutions to the instability mainly through implementation of a limited government which uses political power to protect individual’s property. He is widely regarded as a strong defender of limited government and his legacy lives on in the constitutions of many modern nations including the United States, in which his work was highly influential in promoting democracy.

    Read More

  • Influence Of Voltaire On The Declaration Of Independence By Thomas Paine

    551 Words  | 3 Pages

    He was a French philosopher who wrote the Age of Enlightenment about freedom, and democracy. Much of his writing made the aristocracy and monarchies furious because he was going against them. His ideas influenced people in the American Revolution and even the French Revolution. Thomas Paine was influenced by Voltaire in writing the Common Sense pamphlet. The ideas in his writing influenced the line in the second paragraph “all men are created equal” and also the 1st amendment about religion and freedom in the Declaration of Independence (Unknown 4).

    Read More

  • How Did Locke's Ideas Lead To The American Revolution Dbq

    375 Words  | 2 Pages

    From the 16th to 18th century, countries in Europe were experiencing new ideas and reforms. Philosophers like Locke believed in social equality. They have discussed the purpose of a government and spread their ideas. Locke’s ideas led to the revolution in France, who didn’t have rights under absolute monarch’s control. After the French gained their rights, people in Haiti started to fight because they wanted to have the same rights that French gained during the reform.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Glorious Revolution Of 1688 And The Enlightenment

    1102 Words  | 5 Pages

    This sharing of power added ideas from the newly formed government that focused on the freedoms of citizens in England. Voltaire contended that the English government had successfully limited the power of the monarchy by affirming the power of the nobility, criticizing the French feudal system for its inability to share political power amongst the citizens of France (6). Advocating a limited monarchy to hold political discussions concerning the progress of the French government towards liberal reforms during the French Revolution. Voltaire as an enlightened philosophe, published papers about the rationality of the French government, which influenced his attitude towards the English constitutional monarchy that implemented the enlightened ideal of liberty. John Locke wrote that the purpose of electing legislative powers was to create laws and rules that protected the “properties of all the members of society,” a natural right of mankind (5).

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast John Locke And Adam Smith

    470 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Age of Reason In Europe, during the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason, many philosophers gathered together to discuss their different but similar ideas to help shape the world we live in today. In the late 17th and 18th century, four enlightenment philosophers named John Locke, Voltaire, Adam Smith, and Mary Wollstonecraft focused on the same main idea. They believed in individual rights and presented their arguments through religion, government, economics, and equality for women.

    Read More

  • Voltaire Influence On The Enlightenment

    425 Words  | 2 Pages

    The most important philosopher of the Enlightenment is Francois Marie Arouet, who was known by the name of Voltaire. Voltaire lived from 1694 to 1778. He was in many ways a representative philosopher during his century. He wrote over 70 volumes of books and over 21,000 letters based on his thoughts and beliefs. He was known to attack beliefs that he didn’t quite agree with.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Plato And John Locke

    1333 Words  | 6 Pages

    Only those who are born with true philosophical understanding can rule. In the Second Treatise by John Locke, Locke addresses the state of nature, which is essentially equality and freedom. Even though people have liberty, they still need to obey natural laws. On the contrary of Plato’s just city, Locke believes that absolute authority is not a civil government. A civil society is where the majority rules.

    Read More

  • John Locke Research Paper

    604 Words  | 3 Pages

    Locke's, The Second Treatise of Government spoke about the sovereignty. This rest with the people and also the government which is legitimate have natural rights as well as a social contract. He was favor of separation of the church and state. He was against the authoritarianism. He believed and wanted individuals to reason rather than act on their opinions.

    Read More

  • The Age Of Enlightenment

    605 Words  | 3 Pages

    Voltaire’s political ideas were not revolutionary, he preferred the idea of a constitutional monarch to that of a republic. He thought he found a tolerant, enlightened monarch in Prussia. “Voltaire had become a considerable power throughout Europe. He corresponded with hundreds of the most educated and enlightened people in Europe, and welcomed important visitors to his home. He wrote fundamental works and was read by millions.

    Read More

More about Enlightenment Dbq Essay

Open Document