The idea that humans are born with rights, such as life, liberty, and property and that people create governments to protect those rights.

• social contract

• inalienable rights

• natural rights

• sovereign

An agreement among the people to set up a government and obey its laws.

• social contract

• natural rights

• Magna Carta

• English Bill of Rights

A condition in which no governments or laws existed at all. This is the basis of natural rights philosophy.

• social contract

• natural rights

• oligarchy

• state of nature

A period in European history(1700s) when people thought they should use reason to free themselves from ignorance and superstition in order to become enlightened.

• The Renaissance

• The Reformation

• The Scientific Revolution

• The Enlightenment

This English philosopher believed that absolute power could resolve problems.

• Hobbes

• Locke

• Rousseau

• Montesquieu

English philosopher who explained that people have natural rights and that the government is formed to protect those rights.

• Hobbes

• Locke

• Rousseau

• Montesquieu

A philosopher who believed that society threatened natural rights and freedoms.

• Hobbes

• Locke

• Rousseau

• Montesquieu

He believed that if the government is not fulfilling their duty then citizens have the obligation to rebel.

• Hobbes

• Locke

• Rousseau

• Montesquieu

This French philosopher believed that the best form of government had separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers.

• Hobbes

• Locke

• Rousseau

• Montesquieu

He believed in a system of checks & balances within a government.

• Hobbes

• Locke

• Rousseau

• Montesquieu