The signing of the Declaration of Independence
5
The Tea Act is imposed on the colonies
2
The French and Indian War
1
The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia
4
The Boston Tea Party
3
Supported self-government and argued that the purpose of government is to protect citizens natural rights
Locke
Was devoted to the study of political liberties and in his famous book "On the Spirit of Laws", he proposed a separation of powers
Montesquieu
Although his use of satire often got him into trouble, this Enlightenment thinker never stopped fighting for freedom of religion and freedom of speech
Voltaire
This Enlightenment philosopher believed all humans are selfish and wicked by nature; therefore, he believed that to avoid chaos, people enter into a social contract with a government that provided stability
Hobbes
This Enlightenment philosopher argued for equality of all individuals, regardless of class, before the law
Rousseau