Question

hobbes and locke
the enlightenment, a period challenging traditional
authority and the legitimacy of monarchies, deeply
influenced america’s founding. though divided in their
beliefs, thomas hobbes and john locke were particularly
influential over the founding fathers and u.s.
government.

in his book, leviathan, hobbes voiced concerns against
democratic principles, arguing instead to justify absolute
monarchies.

• justifying monarchies: hobbes described monarchies

as monstrous “leviathans,” claiming they are necessary
to protect the people

• rejecting democracy: hobbes believed democracy to

be dangerous; claiming people cannot be trusted to
make good political decisions.

contrasting hobbes, john locke emphasized the
importance of natural rights, using them to justify his

what did john locke believe formed the
basis of government?

• natural rights
• divine right
• security

Explanation:

John Locke, an Enlightenment thinker, argued that governments are formed based on the protection of natural rights (life, liberty, property) that individuals inherently possess. He stated that people enter a social contract to create government to safeguard these rights, which stands in contrast to Hobbes' focus on security/absolute monarchy and the traditional divine right of kings.

Answer:

natural rights