Activities Powerpoint

Government The Age of Reason or Enlightenment stressed reason and thought and brought great change to many aspects of Western civilization. Two views emerged, drawing different conclusions about government and human nature.

Man = ☹ Thomas Hobbes expressed his work in a book called Leviathan. He thought humans were naturally “selfish and wicked.” People needed to hand over their rights to a strong leader = social contract.

Man = ☺ John Locke held a more positive view; people were reasonable and could learn from their experiences and improve themselves. They were born free and equal and should self govern.

Mystery Man Francois Marie Arouet used the pen name of Voltaire. Voltaire was often imprisoned and stood for freedom of speech. “I do not agree with a word you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Powers Baron de Montesquieu called the division of power among different branches separation of powers. Keeping the people in charge in check = checks and balances.

Rousseau Jean Jacques Rousseau was committed to individual freedom. He felt that civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness. Do you agree or disagree?

Justice Cesare Beccaria believed laws existed to preserve social order, not to avenge crimes. Other key ideas: speedy trial, degrees of punishment (not always off with your head!), and no capital punishment.

Women Can you believe that most males scolded women for reading novels because they thought it encouraged wickedness…huh? Progress could not be stopped, as wealthy females spread ideas at salons…not the type of salon you are thinking of.

Rights of Females Mary Wollstonecraft published an essay called A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Women should enter the fields of politics and medicine. Her daughter would write the classic novel Frankenstein.

Action!!! Well, sort of…most of these reformers were the spark to the revolutions. People began to turn away from the church and royalty for guidance and looked to themselves. British economist Adam Smith took this thinking and created the consumer.

The Arts The Enlightenment ideals of order and reason were reflected in the arts: music, literature, painting, and architecture. Early European art could be described as Baroque = grand and ornate… Palace of Versailles. ch?v=YR0DqcgI_5Ihttp:// ch?v=YR0DqcgI_5I

Neo Style Neoclassical adapted simple and elegant styles of the Greeks and Romans. Lighter and elegant music became known as classical. Great artists were Mozart and Beethoven. atch?v=JTc1mDieQI8

Monarchs Some monarchs accepted these new ideas and adopted reforms. For example, Frederick II of Prussia granted many reforms and considered himself a “servant of the state.” What does this mean?

Americans! Another revolution that gained steam from the enlightenment is the American Revolution. Many of our American founding fathers can be described as philosophers and reformers.

Revolution Maybe the most studied revolution is the French Revolution. The French Revolution stood for reform, but soon stood for death. Known for the use of the guillotine = a device used to cut off people’s heads if they spoke out against the government

Constitution Ideas are usually nothing without a stable society. The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights help instill these enlightened ideas in America.

Analyze This!