Thomas Hobbes• English Philosopher• Wrote-Leviathan• Argued that people are naturally cruel, greedy

and selfish if not controlled they would fight, rob, and oppress (dominate) one another.

• Created the Social Contract, and agreement where people give up power to the state in exchange for the safety and well-being of all.

• Theory promoted popular sovereignty, limited government & individual rights

John Locke• English Philosopher• Wrote-Two Treatises of Government• Argued people formed governments to

protect their natural rights.• Believed that people were basically

reasonable and moral.• Created the Theory of Natural Rights-rights

that belonged to ALL humans at birth. (Life, Liberty and Property)

John Locke

• If those 3 rights were violated by the government, then the people have the right to overthrow that government.

• His writings heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence (DOI).

Baron de Montesquieu• French Philosopher• Studied the governments of Europe, he was

most impressed by the English government.• Wrote-The Spirit of the Laws-wrote

admiringly about Britain’s limited monarchy. Britain protected themselves against tyranny by dividing powers of government among three separate branches, Legislative, Executive and Judicial.

• Promoted the idea of Separation of Powers

The Magna Carta

• Known as “The Great Charter”• Barons forced King James to sign in 1215• Established the idea that the power of the

Monarchy (king) was not absolute (total)• Guaranteed trial by jury• Due process of law• Private property of rights

Petition of Rights• Signed in 1628• Challenged the ideas of the Divine Right of kings• Kings could no longer imprison or otherwise

punish any person without the lawful judgment of their peers

• The king could not impose martial law (military rule) during times of peace.

• Troops could not be sheltered in private homes without the owner’s consent

Petition of Rights

• Troops could not be sheltered in private homes without the owner’s consent

• Kings could not raise or levy taxes without the consent by act of Parliament (English government)

•

English Bill of Rights• Signed in 1689• Designed to prevent abuse of power by the

English Monarchy (king)• Trial by jury• Due process • No cruel or unusual punishment• No excessive (too much) bail or fines• Right to bear arms• Right to petition (appeal)

Philosophers Activity• It’s your turn:• Use your notes to create a brochure of the

philosophers we just studied.• For each philosopher, include 4-5 important

points about them (what was theory of government? What did they write and what was it about? Highlight any vocabulary we have studied.

• Back panel: Which philosopher do you MOST agree with and why?