Enlightenment Mr. Gainer Per. 6

Intro The enlightenment is one of the most important eras in history The enlightenment is one of the most important eras in history The ideas the enlightenment supported greatly impacted society today The ideas the enlightenment supported greatly impacted society today It got people to think for themselves instead of getting someone else to do it for themselves It got people to think for themselves instead of getting someone else to do it for themselves It also promoted equality It also promoted equality

Hobbes vs. Locke Said that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked Said that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked Favored total monarchy Favored total monarchy Without governments to keep order there would be “war of every man against every man. In this state life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Without governments to keep order there would be “war of every man against every man. In this state life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Hobbes said to keep this from happening people needed to give up their rights to a strong leader and in exchange they would get law and order. He called this the social contract. Hobbes said to keep this from happening people needed to give up their rights to a strong leader and in exchange they would get law and order. He called this the social contract. He believed that people can learn from experience and improve themselves. He believed that people can learn from experience and improve themselves. Favored the idea of a self- government Favored the idea of a self- government Believed that all people were born free and equal with three natural rights: Believed that all people were born free and equal with three natural rights: –Life –Liberty –Property Said a governments job is to protect these rights and if it didn’t people had the right to rebel. Said a governments job is to protect these rights and if it didn’t people had the right to rebel.

The Philosophers Advocate Reason Philosophers believed that people could apply reason to all aspects of life. Philosophers believed that people could apply reason to all aspects of life. Five important concepts formed the core of their philosophy: Five important concepts formed the core of their philosophy: –Reason Enlightenment thinkers believed truth could be discovered through reason –Nature The philosophers believed what was natural was good and reasonable –Happiness Philosophers said a person who lived by natures laws would find happiness –Progress Philosophers believed in progress for society –Liberty Through reason, the philosophers believed, society could be set free

Voltaire Combats Intolerance One of the most influential philosophers One of the most influential philosophers Wrote over 70 books of political, essays, philosophy, history, fiction, and drama Wrote over 70 books of political, essays, philosophy, history, fiction, and drama Often use satire against his opponents Often use satire against his opponents Made frequent targets of the clergy, the aristocracy, and the government Made frequent targets of the clergy, the aristocracy, and the government This made him an enemy of the French court This made him an enemy of the French court He was jailed twice then exiled to England for two years He was jailed twice then exiled to England for two years He even questioned the Christian religion He even questioned the Christian religion Because of his works and questioning he made powerful enemies but never stopped fighting Because of his works and questioning he made powerful enemies but never stopped fighting

Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers Wrote on the spirit of laws in which he wrote “Power should be a check to power” Wrote on the spirit of laws in which he wrote “Power should be a check to power” Each branch of government would serve as a check for the other two called “checks and balances” Each branch of government would serve as a check for the other two called “checks and balances” This later became the basis for the United States Constitution This later became the basis for the United States Constitution

Rousseau: Champion of Freedom Felt that civilization corrupted peoples natural goodness. “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.” Felt that civilization corrupted peoples natural goodness. “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.” As people became civilized, however, the strongest among then forced everyone else to obey unjust laws. Thus freedom and equality were destroyed. As people became civilized, however, the strongest among then forced everyone else to obey unjust laws. Thus freedom and equality were destroyed.

Beccaria promotes criminal justice He believed that laws existed to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes He believed that laws existed to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes Believed that criminals should receive a speedy trial, and the degree of punishment should be based on the seriousness of the crime Believed that criminals should receive a speedy trial, and the degree of punishment should be based on the seriousness of the crime Also believed that capitol punishment should be abolished Also believed that capitol punishment should be abolished

Women and the Enlightenment Even though most enlightenment thinkers fought for equality women were still treated the same Even though most enlightenment thinkers fought for equality women were still treated the same Mary Wollstonecraft wrote a Vindication of the rights of women in witch she wrote about how women, just like men, need and a good education. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote a Vindication of the rights of women in witch she wrote about how women, just like men, need and a good education. She also argued for women's right to participate in politics She also argued for women's right to participate in politics

The spread of enlightenment ideas These ideas were spread in many ways These ideas were spread in many ways One way was by travelers and traders. When money and goods get traded so do ideas One way was by travelers and traders. When money and goods get traded so do ideas There were also social gatherings called salons where enlightenment thinkers met to discuss new ideas There were also social gatherings called salons where enlightenment thinkers met to discuss new ideas The popularity of a novel also help the spread of these ideas in literature The popularity of a novel also help the spread of these ideas in literature But some of these ideas got them into trouble. Most were exiled for questioning the church witch led these thinkers to move to other regions and share their ideas But some of these ideas got them into trouble. Most were exiled for questioning the church witch led these thinkers to move to other regions and share their ideas

Conclusion The impact the enlightenment had still chow in society today The impact the enlightenment had still chow in society today No longer do people look to some unseen force to explain what happens and why. We now use reason which was introduce by the enlightenment thinkers No longer do people look to some unseen force to explain what happens and why. We now use reason which was introduce by the enlightenment thinkers People also began to question the church and think for themselves, not relying on the church to solve everything People also began to question the church and think for themselves, not relying on the church to solve everything These are just some of the examples of what kind of impact the enlightenment had on the way we live today. These are just some of the examples of what kind of impact the enlightenment had on the way we live today.