RENE DESCARTE1596-1650 FRANCE

• Significant contributions to Rationalism… developed a train of reasoning to reach certain basic truths….

• Wrote:“Discourse on the

method”• Quote:“I think, therefore I am”

THOMAS HOBBES1588-1679 ENGLAND

• Key contributor to Political Philosophy

(social contract, types of rule, consent, human nature, etc.)

• Wrote:

“Leviathan” during the English Civil War

• Quote:

“Life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”

JOHN LOCKE1632-1704 ENGLAND

• Strong advocate of government by consent, and natural rights

• Wrote:

“Two Treatises of Government”

• Quote:

“Life, Liberty, Property”

VOLTAIRE1619-1778 FRANCE (FRANCOIS-MARIE AROUET)

• Never stopped fighting for tolerance, the use of reason, freedom of speech and religion.

• Wrote:

Prolific writer, published over 70 books!!

• Quote:

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it”

Baron de MONTESQUIEU1689-1755 FRANCE

• His ideas around “separation of powers” become basis for U.S.A. constitution (legislative, executive, judicial)

• Wrote:“On the Spirit of Laws”• Quote:“When the law-making and

law-enforcing powers are united in one person, there can be no liberty”

JEAN-JAQUES ROUSSEAU1712-1778 FRANCE

• Heavy influence on French Revolution and American Revolution, and the idea of a social contract between government and people

• Wrote:

“Social Contract”• Quote:

“Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains”

CESARE BECCARIA1738-1794 ITALIAN

• Concerned with the prisoner’s rights. Anti-torture and death penalty, pro-guns.

• Wrote:“On Crimes and

Punishments”• Quote:“Laws that forbid the

carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes”

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT1759-1797 BRITISH

• Believed that equality between genders will improve society

• Wrote:

“A vindication of the rights of women”

• Quote:

“I am about to display the mind of a woman, who has thinking powers”

FREDERICK THE GREAT1712-1786 PRUSSIA (FREDERICK II)

• Enlightened Despot who promoted religious equality, tolerance, freedom of expression and general education rules

• Wrote:Assisted in writing and

enforcing the first “German Law Code”

• Quote:“First servant of the State”

CATHERINE THE GREAT1729-1796 RUSSIA (CATHERINE II)

• Enlightened Despot detested force as a way to make Russia progress....

• Wrote:Called for a meeting of the

best minds in Europe to help her create and publish “The Moscow Grand Commission”

• Quote:“I am one of those people

who loves the WHY of things”

THOMAS JEFFERSON1743-1826 U.S.A.

• Founding Father of U.S. government, held many government titles, was a minister to France

• Wrote:

“U.S.A. Declaration of Independence”

• Quote:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident”