Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Swiss philosopher born in 1712 in Geneva, Switzerland. He had a profound influence on government and political philosophy with his theory that people were naturally good but corrupted by civilization and society. He believed in a social contract where people consented to be governed for the benefit of all and helped shape ideas of democracy, majority rule, and the rights of citizens that influenced governments including the U.S. Constitution. Some of Rousseau's most influential works included The Social Contract, Discourse on Inequality, and Emile.

1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
By: Ruby Clack
June 28, 1712- July 2, 1778
“The world of reality has its limits; the world of
imagination is boundless” -Rousseau

2. Biography
★ Rousseau was born June 28, 1712 in
Geneva, Switzerland. His mother
died shortly after childbirth so he
was raised by his father, Isaac
Rousseau.
★ When he was 10 his father got into a
legal issue so they had to leave
Geneva.
★ When Rousseau got older he went
to paris. Here he started his journey
and he explored many of his talents.
He was a musician, a teacher, and a
tutor.

3. Biography
★ In 1749 he saw an essay contest in the
newspaper. The prompt was if the
development of the arts and sciences
was making people better or worse.
This is where Rousseau had an
epiphany, he realized that society is
making people worse. This is where
his theory started, that people were
once good then civilization corrupted
them.
★ He kept writing and he became
famous for many of his works.

4. Original Influence ★ Rousseau had a huge impact on
government with his ideas of the
social contract. The social
contract can be seen in the
american declaration of
independence. It helped create a
government for the people, by
the people.
★ Rousseau also made sure to
protect everyone's life liberty and
property.

5. Original Influence★ Rousseau wanted the people to
be in charge this is why our
constitution starts with “We The
People.”
★ He wanted the people to vote on
certain things and majority wins.
This is how our democracy is
run today.
★ Rousseau’s statement was
changed a bit and put in the
declaration of independence,
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness.”

6. Original Influence ★ Rousseau’s written works include:
Letters Written from the
Mountain,The Profession of Faith
of a Savoyard Vicar,The Cunning-
Man, Julie, The Social Contract, A
Discourse Upon the Origin and
Foundation of the Inequality
Among Mankind, Letter to
Monsieur d’Alembert on the
Theatre, The Reveries of a
Solitary Walker, Rousseau juge de
Jean-Jacques, and Emile.

7. Ongoing Influence
★ Rousseau’s ideas shaped the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
He shaped what a democracy is and we wouldn't be where we are without his
influence. The people vote for representatives and those people vote on certain
laws and things. The people vote for president and each party is equal. When the
president decides to make a law, the people have the option to decline the law. The
people in the US ultimately control pretty much everything. Rousseau’s idea for a
government was made for the people and by the people. That is exactly what a
democracy is. Rousseau also believed that religion divides people, although our
country was built on “In god we trust” we still have the freedom to believe in
whatever religion you choose. Rousseau’s ideal government was a direct democracy
but we have changed it a bit because it's pretty hard to get everyone in the US
together to vote on things, but our government is still heavily influenced by him.

8. Sources
“BRIA 20 2 c Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau on Government.”
Constitutional Rights Foundation, www.crf-usa.org/bill-of-rights-in-action/bria-20-2-c-
hobbes-locke-montesquieu-and-rousseau-on-government.html.
Duignan, Brian, and Maurice Cranston. “Jean-Jacques Rousseau.” Encyclopædia
Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 Mar. 2020,
www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Jacques-Rousseau.