Social ContractBritish and French Philosophers impacted the writings of the Framers for American

Government

Rousseau• Met by

society Locke• Life, liberty,

property

Natural Rights

Hobbes LockeRousseau

Quick ReviewWhich Philosopher

wanted a large government?

Quick ReviewMan is inherently

good?

Quick ReviewThe idea of Representative

government

Quick ReviewIndividual needs are met by

the group

Montesquieu

Political liberty is not possible in a despotic political system, but it is possible, though

not guaranteed, in republics and monarchies. Generally speaking,

establishing political liberty on a sound footing requires two things:

“Spirit of the Laws”

Separation of

Powers

Due Process

“Spirit of the Law” concerning

religion

“The Christian religion, which ordains that men should love

each other, would, without doubt, have every nation blest

with the best civil, the best political laws; because these, next to this religion, are the

greatest good that men can give and receive.” Spirit of the Laws

Book 24

Voltaire

Freedom of Speech

1 st AmendmentFreedom of Speech

“I do not agree with what you have to

say, but I'll defend to the death your right

to say it.”

Locke• Smaller Central

government • Representative by the

people• Life Liberty, Property

Montesquieu • Representative • Power divided into 3

Branches

Hobbes• Large Government• People need

structure