The Enlightenment AKA The Age of Reason European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbRGIFIBcQk 11:02 Women of Salons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXw7DFuqzzc 15:22 All about the Enlightenment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbRGIFIBcQk 11:02 Women of Salons The Enlightenment 2012

What exciting conclusion did philosophers reach during the Enlightenment? Answer: Reason could be used to solve all human problems. The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

An Overview of the 18th Century Political History >>> Reform Intellectual History   Reason Cultural History  Individualism Social History  Increased Literacy  “Age of Aristocracy” Economic History > Mercantilism to Capitalism The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

18th Century Politics BRITAIN – Constitutional Monarchy FRANCE  Royal Absolutism PRUSSIA, HABSBURG EMPIRE, RUSSIA  “Enlightened Despotism” OTTOMAN EMPIRE – traditional empire The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION Scientific successes convinced educated Europeans of the power of HUMAN REASON If reason worked for the physical world, then why not use it for NATURAL LAWS Laws explaining human behavior Solve the problems of society The Enlightenment 2012

Religion Deism Belief in the existence of a God or supreme being but denial of organized religion, basing one’s belief on nature and reason. Saw no point in any particular religion; recognized only a distant God, uninvolved in daily life of man. Invisible watchmaker The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

The “Enlightened” Individual The Philosophe Students of society who analyzed its evils and advanced reforms. The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

Traditions and Superstitions The “Great Debate” Reason & Logic Traditions and Superstitions rationalism empiricism tolerance skepticism Deism nostalgia for the past Organized religions irrationalism emotionalism The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

SOCIAL CONTRACT THOMAS HOBBES Wrote Leviathan People are naturally cruel, greedy, selfish Need to be strictly controlled Social Contract- people give up state of nature for organized society. Need a powerful government The Enlightenment 2012

SOCIAL CONTRACT JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704) Wrote TWO TREATISES OF GOVERNMENT People are basically reasonable and moral Natural Rights- life, liberty and property Government to protect natural rights The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

Comparing Hobbes and Locke Absolute monarchy best People need government to impose order People selfish, greedy Should exchange some freedoms for peace, safety, order Social contract Thomas Hobbes Government should protect people’s natural rights Monarchs not chosen by God Government by consent Power limited by laws Foundation for modern democracy John Locke The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

SEPARATION OF POWERS BARON de MONTESQUIEU Wrote THE SPIRIT OF THE LAWS Liked Britain’s limited monarchy Separation of powers allows each branch to check against power of others legislative, executive, judicial The Enlightenment 2012

ROUSSEAU People’s natural innocence is corrupted by evils of society As civilizations progress they move away from morality Believed in limited governmental control Good of the community above individual interests-General Welfare Individual is subordinate to the community The Enlightenment 2012

MORE ROUSSEAU Wrote “Social Contract” - argued for direct democracy. Inspiration for leaders of French Revolution Praised the NOBLE SAVAGE - primitive man unspoiled by terrible things like education and society The Enlightenment 2012

VOLTAIRE Social critic Reform society by attacking corrupt officials Saw nature as the work of God and man as the product of nature Sought to set man free from orthodox Christian views Fought superstition, ignorance Struggled for justice, toleration, liberty The Enlightenment 2012

DIDEROT “Encyclopedia” – compile all human knowledge in one work Sought to change general way of thinking Denounced slavery, attacked divine right, attacked traditional religions 35 volumes, 27 years’ work Helped spread ideas of the Enlightenment The Enlightenment 2012

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT Feminist declaration of independence “Vindication of the Rights of Woman” Feminist declaration of independence Liberal doctrine of inalienable human rights applied to women She was attacked for her views The Enlightenment 2012

ECONOMICS Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations - free market to regulate business Supply and demand Laissez faire- little government interference in business Free economic rein would aid the welfare of all-”invisible hand” Bourgeoisie supported, justified greed The Enlightenment 2012

Enlightenment Ideas Spread Prussia, Austria-Hungary, Russia The spirit of optimism quickly spread throughout Europe. A few monarchs became enlightened despots, changing their systems of government and ruling according to Enlightenment ideas. Prussia, Austria-Hungary, Russia The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

Enlightenment Ideas Spread Writers, philosophers questioned ideas long held as truth Challenged beliefs in absolute monarchies Questioned relationship between church and sate Debated rules and rights of people in society Promoted ideas reformers and revolutionaries would later use to change society Belief in progress spurred reforms Believed reason could solve any problem, debated ways to make society more just Did not accept poverty, ignorance, inequality as facts of life Reforms Ideas about power, authority inspired American and French Revolutions Colonists strongly influenced by political views of Locke, Rousseau Revolutions The Enlightenment 2012 Enlightenment 2012

You are on a life boat that can hold only 12 people, but 15 people have crammed on. What would you do if you were: Hobbes Locke Rousseau