The Enlightenment European History Chapter 17

PHILOSOPHY IN THE AGE OF REASON Section 1

Mindset of the Enlightenment Rational Thought Through reason, people and government could solve every social, political, and economic problem. Through reason, people and government could solve every social, political, and economic problem. “We can change the world.” “We can change the world.” Natural Law – rules discoverable by reason. Natural law can solve ALL problems. Natural law can solve ALL problems. Scientific Revolution leads to the revolution in thinking called the Enlightenment. Scientific Revolution leads to the revolution in thinking called the Enlightenment. Rational Thought Through reason, people and government could solve every social, political, and economic problem. Through reason, people and government could solve every social, political, and economic problem. “We can change the world.” “We can change the world.” Natural Law – rules discoverable by reason. Natural law can solve ALL problems. Natural law can solve ALL problems. Scientific Revolution leads to the revolution in thinking called the Enlightenment. Scientific Revolution leads to the revolution in thinking called the Enlightenment.

Hobbes Believes in Powerful Government Thomas Hobbes “Leviathan” 1.People are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish. 2.They must be strictly controlled with laws. Social Contract – an agreement where people give up their freedom for an organized society. Supported absolute monarchy Supported absolute monarchy Thomas Hobbes “Leviathan” 1.People are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish. 2.They must be strictly controlled with laws. Social Contract – an agreement where people give up their freedom for an organized society. Supported absolute monarchy Supported absolute monarchy

Locke Advocates Natural Rights John Locke “Natural Rights” 1.Life 2.Liberty 3.Property Natural Rights are “Unalienable Rights” (Cannot be taken away). Natural Rights are “Unalienable Rights” (Cannot be taken away). The best government has limited power and accepted by all citizens. The best government has limited power and accepted by all citizens. Government power is from the people. Government power is from the people. The people have the right to overthrow a government that violates their natural rights. The people have the right to overthrow a government that violates their natural rights. John Locke “Natural Rights” 1.Life 2.Liberty 3.Property Natural Rights are “Unalienable Rights” (Cannot be taken away). Natural Rights are “Unalienable Rights” (Cannot be taken away). The best government has limited power and accepted by all citizens. The best government has limited power and accepted by all citizens. Government power is from the people. Government power is from the people. The people have the right to overthrow a government that violates their natural rights. The people have the right to overthrow a government that violates their natural rights.

Crash Course Tea, Taxes, and the American Revolution “The Enlightenment”

The Philosophes Montesquieu 1.Studied the governments of Europe. 2.Best way to protect liberty was Separation of Powers - to divide the powers of government into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. 3.Checks and Balances 4.Inspired the U.S. Constitution. Montesquieu 1.Studied the governments of Europe. 2.Best way to protect liberty was Separation of Powers - to divide the powers of government into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. 3.Checks and Balances 4.Inspired the U.S. Constitution.

The Philosophes Voltaire 1.“My trade is to say what I think.” 2.Defended freedom of speech. 3.Exposed the abuses of inequality, injustice, superstition, slave trade, & religious prejudice. 4.Offended French Government and Catholic Church. 5.Imprisoned and exiled. Voltaire 1.“My trade is to say what I think.” 2.Defended freedom of speech. 3.Exposed the abuses of inequality, injustice, superstition, slave trade, & religious prejudice. 4.Offended French Government and Catholic Church. 5.Imprisoned and exiled.

The Philosophes Diderot 1.Produced a 28 volume set of books called the Encyclopedia. 2.Purpose was “to change the general way of thinking.” 3.Explained ideas on topics such as government, philosophy, and religion. 4.Included articles by thinkers of the day. 5.Helped to spread Enlightenment ideas. Diderot 1.Produced a 28 volume set of books called the Encyclopedia. 2.Purpose was “to change the general way of thinking.” 3.Explained ideas on topics such as government, philosophy, and religion. 4.Included articles by thinkers of the day. 5.Helped to spread Enlightenment ideas.

The Philosophes Rousseau 1.People are basically good. 2.Society corrupts and distributes wealth unequally. 3.“The Social Contract” – society should control some aspects of people’s behavior, but minimally. 4.Only freely elected governments should rule. 5.Influenced reformers and revolutionaries like Thomas Paine and Lafayette, leading figures of the American and French Revolutions. Rousseau 1.People are basically good. 2.Society corrupts and distributes wealth unequally. 3.“The Social Contract” – society should control some aspects of people’s behavior, but minimally. 4.Only freely elected governments should rule. 5.Influenced reformers and revolutionaries like Thomas Paine and Lafayette, leading figures of the American and French Revolutions.

New Economic Thinking Laissez Faire Businesses operate with little or no government involvement. Businesses operate with little or no government involvement. Adam Smith Wrote the “Wealth of Nations” Wrote the “Wealth of Nations” 1.The free market should be allowed to regulate business activity. 2.For goods and/or services, suppliers will seek to meet demand in order to gain profits. Laissez Faire Businesses operate with little or no government involvement. Businesses operate with little or no government involvement. Adam Smith Wrote the “Wealth of Nations” Wrote the “Wealth of Nations” 1.The free market should be allowed to regulate business activity. 2.For goods and/or services, suppliers will seek to meet demand in order to gain profits.

17-2 Enlightened Despotism Enlightened Despots Absolute rulers who accepted Enlightenment ideas and used their power to bring about political and social change. Absolute rulers who accepted Enlightenment ideas and used their power to bring about political and social change. Frederick the Great of Prussia “My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to say as they please, and I am to do as I please.” “My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to say as they please, and I am to do as I please.” Enlightened Despots Absolute rulers who accepted Enlightenment ideas and used their power to bring about political and social change. Absolute rulers who accepted Enlightenment ideas and used their power to bring about political and social change. Frederick the Great of Prussia “My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to say as they please, and I am to do as I please.” “My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to say as they please, and I am to do as I please.”

Enlightened Despots Frederick the Great 1.Praised Voltaire’s work 2.“First servant of the state” working for the common good. 3.Religious Toleration 4.Anti-Divine Right of Kings  Uses live ammo on his troops in training. Frederick the Great 1.Praised Voltaire’s work 2.“First servant of the state” working for the common good. 3.Religious Toleration 4.Anti-Divine Right of Kings  Uses live ammo on his troops in training.

Enlightened Despots Catherine the Great of Russia “You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper…I write on the … skins of living beings.” “You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper…I write on the … skins of living beings.” 1.Abolished torture 2.Religious toleration 3.Creates “Grand Commission” to advise her on rulings 4.All social classes included in meetings 5.Allows philosophers to write freely  Persecutes Catholics; censors general population. Catherine the Great of Russia “You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper…I write on the … skins of living beings.” “You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper…I write on the … skins of living beings.” 1.Abolished torture 2.Religious toleration 3.Creates “Grand Commission” to advise her on rulings 4.All social classes included in meetings 5.Allows philosophers to write freely  Persecutes Catholics; censors general population.

Enlightened Despots Joseph II of Austria “Everything for the people, nothing by the people.” “Everything for the people, nothing by the people.” 1.Religious toleration for Protestants and Jews 2.Abolished serfdom 3.Abolishes death penalty 4.Separated church and state  Granted no one political power Joseph II of Austria “Everything for the people, nothing by the people.” “Everything for the people, nothing by the people.” 1.Religious toleration for Protestants and Jews 2.Abolished serfdom 3.Abolishes death penalty 4.Separated church and state  Granted no one political power