Who?: Volaire (François-Marie Arouet)
What?: An Enlightenment era philosopher who supported the rights of the proletariat.
Where?: France
When?: 1604-1778
Major Book?: The Communist Manifesto
Main Ideas:
1) Freedom of Religion
2) Freedom of Thought
3) Freedom of Speech
Why?: Voltaire lived during the Enlightenment when man was actively questioning the relationship between man and government and the role of government in people's lives.
Importance: Voltaire's ideas along with the those of the other Philosophes (Rousseau & Montesquieu) helped to create the foundation for the Age of Revolutions and the spread of natural rights
Quote: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”
Related Terms: 1) Natural Rights, 2) Philosophe



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