8-28-2025 Enlightenment Philosophers Reflection

Which philosopher is considered the most important influence on American beliefs about government?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Voltaire

An agreement b/w people and gov’t in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the gov’t protects their natural rights.

• social contract

• elite democracy

• republicanism

• popular sovereignty

What impact did the writings of Baron Montesquieu have on the Founding Fathers of the American political system?

• They kept a monarchical system of government.

• They created a representative system of government.

• They guaranteed each citizen the right to a trial by jury.

• They separated the powers of government into three branches.

John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu were all European philosophers who greatly impacted the way our American government was set up. They were all part of the time of intellectual advancement that occurred during the 17th and 18th centuries called The ___.

• Middle Ages

• Enlightenment

Which philosopher believed that humans are naturally selfish and that an absolute monarchy is the best form of government?

• John Locke

• Thomas Hobbes

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Karl Marx

Which philosopher believed in the separation of powers and the importance of checks and balances in government?

• Rousseau

• Locke

• Hobbes

• Montesquieu

What was a common belief among the Enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Montesquieu regarding government?

• That a strong, centralized authority was necessary.

• That government should reflect the will of the people.

• That monarchies were the best form of government.

• That governments were unnecessary and should be abolished.

Which Enlightenment thinker's ideas were used to justify the right of revolution in the Declaration of Independence?

• Montesquieu

• John Locke

• Rousseau

• Voltaire

In what way did Montesquieu's idea of separation of powers influence American democracy?

• It led to the creation of a one-party system.

• It inspired the establishment of a direct democracy.

• It contributed to the formation of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

• It encouraged the abolition of the legislative branch.

Which Enlightenment thinker argued that liberty is a natural right of all people?

• Montesquieu

• John Locke

• Rousseau

• Hobbes