Modern World History 2011-2012 Androstic The Enlightenment: Enlightened Absolutism, Women’s Rights, and Religion Modern World History 2011-2012 Androstic

Today, we’ll finish up our look at the Enlightenment by observing the new ideas in religion, women’s rights, and Enlightened Absolutism

RELIGION IN THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Differing opinions on religion in the Enlightenment

Enlightenment Religion Enlightened Christians Deists Atheists

Voltaire (philosopher and author)was one of the most well-known deists: Deism is a religious philosophy based on reason and natural law Deists were often critical of organized religion The philosophy of a world machine – God created the world, and then just let it run Voltaire and other deists believed in a mechanical God, or referred to God like a clockmaker. God made the world, then lets it run itself, not interfering with daily operations in nature and humanity.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Opposing views of women’s place: Many philosophers classified women in a way similar to children, suggesting they are not “rational” and therefore should not be treated equitably. Philosophes (like Rousseau) suggested women should be taught to be the keeper of the home and educator of children. In that way, man and woman would compliment each other. Many of the Enlightenment thinkers, as we will read in tonight’s homework, did not see women as equal beings, deserving of the same rights as man. As they considering governments and social relationships, they never thought about the relationship between men and women, husband and wife. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The arguments made by Mary Wollstonecraft regarding women’s rights. Wollstonecraft made two major arguments for women’s equality: First… Husbands: wives: kings: men Men didn’t like being submissive to king, but expected women to be submissive to them! Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) gave a modern view to women’s rights, as she used logic, empiricism, and reason to argue on behalf of women’s rights.

The arguments made by Mary Wollstonecraft regarding women’s rights. Second… Women thought rationally (just like men!) If women were capable of equal thinking, they were deserving of equal treatment! In her work, The Vindication of the Rights of Women, she suggests that women are considered irrational compared to men, but in comparing men and women she suggests that she knows many women who have more reason and sense than their husbands.

ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM

Explaining enlightened absolutism. Enlightened absolutism was a system of government where an absolute ruler governed using Enlightenment principles. These principles included policies such as: abolished torture limited freedom of speech religious tolerance abolished death penalty It’s important to note with Enlightened rulers, or “benevolent despots” that they dabbled in Enlightenment ideals for the most part, but never made them a predominant influence in their reign. They would try to institute policies in their rule, but never completely, and never permanently. When there was a threat of uprising or concern for their power, they would bail on the policies.

Enlightened Absolutism Joseph II of Austria Catherine II (the Great) of Russia Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia

Progressive policies included: Abolition of serfdom Joseph II of Austria Progressive policies included: Abolition of serfdom Universal code of laws Religious freedom Freedom of the press Elimination of death penalty Joseph II was the most dedicated to the Enlightenment cause, trying to implement the most change, and sticking to it the most. However, in enacting these changes, he angered the nobles and church, losing his support base, and even the peasants struggled to survive. His policies mostly failed, and his successors undid all his progressive policies. Joseph II (1765-1790)

Catherine II (the Great) of Russia Progressive policies included: Creation of legislative commission Creation of provinces with elected representatives Freedom of assembly, petition, property, trial by jury Catherine the Great also attempted reforms. Through her unhappy marriage to Peter III, she read to escape reality, including the works of Voltaire, Locke, Rousseau, etc. After ousting her own husband, she became the ruler, and began to attempt to enact changes. However, her true colors shined through after the outbreak of the French Revolution (1789), and she revoked her policies and censored the presses. Catherine II (1762-1796)

Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia Progressive policies included: Religious freedom Freedom of press Restricted use of torture Frederick made some changes, but did not end the social structure that took place, including the system of serfdom that took place. Frederick, like Catherine, was willing to implement some progressive changes, but they always took a back seat to maintaining their power. However, it should be said that unlike other rulers of the past, these rulers at least consider social reforms, and were perhaps the closest thing to fair rulers. And at the same time, Enlightenment ideas would be used to replace old forms of government in the colonies (becoming the United States), and in France, where the French Revolution would take place starting in 1789. Frederick II (1740-1786)