Introduction: Match the ideas with the correct Enlightenment philosopher

1. Rousseau

2. Voltaire

3. Montesquieu

A. Belief in democracy

B. Checks and balances

C. Separation of church, state

D. Freedom of religion

E. Separation of powers

1. Rousseau A. Belief in democracy, B. Checks and balances

2. Voltaire C. Separation of church, state D. Freedom of religion

3. Montesquieu E. separation of powers

Explanation: Voltaire was a Christian and thought that everyone had a right to religious freedom. He was not very supportive of the Bible and was vigorously against the Catholic Church - The Church were gaining from being involved in politics by pocketing a religious tax, which is why Voltaire thought they had no place in politics.

In 1762, Rousseau published his most important work on political theory, The Social Contract. Rousseau argued that the general will of the people could not be decided by elected representatives. He believed in a direct democracy in which everyone voted to express the general will and to make the laws of the land.

Montesquieu concluded that the best form of government was one in which the legislative, executive, and judicial powers were separate and kept each other in check to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful. He believed that uniting these powers, as in the monarchy of Louis XIV, would lead to despotism.