“Siecle de Lumiere” “The Century of Light” The Enlightenment “Siecle de Lumiere” “The Century of Light” Erica Kelley Orchard Knob Middle School

What was the Enlightenment? “A period during the 1700s in which many Europeans began to break away from tradition and rethink political and social norms”

Key Ideas Distrust of Tradition and Religion Scientific method could be applied to society as well Society can get better Humans are naturally good Good life is on earth

Roots of the Enlightenment Greeks and Romans Christianity Scientific Revolution Renaissance and Reformation

Greeks and Romans Belief in natural order Observation of life Major thinkers: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

Christianity Faith and Reason can work together Major thinker: Thomas Aquinas, Thomas More

Renaissance Humanism Focus on the individual Question authority of the Catholic Church Reformation idea of religious tolerance

Scientific Revolution Focus on rationalism New scientific method Scientific methods and reason applied to society and politics

Which of the following ideas from the Greeks and Romans influenced the Enlightenment? A. Class difference is the basis of social order B. Religious faith is the source of knowledge C. Human reason is the key to understanding the world D. Absolute monarchy is the best form of government

Problems in England Parliament vs. the king: 1520s: King Charles refused to accept limits on his power. Led to civil war and his execution 1688: King James II opposed Parliament trying to limit his power: went into exile 1689: William and Mary come to power in the “Glorious Revolution”

The Glorious Revolution Resulted in England being a Constitutional Monarchy Created “Bill of Rights” Monarchy must follow the laws made by Parliament English people now had a right to a jury trial, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment

English Enlightenment Thinkers

Thomas Hobbes Shocked by the execution of King Charles Supported the monarchy Humans are naturally selfish and violent and live in a primitive “state of nature” Humans cannot make wise decisions Powerful leader (king) needed to maintain order and control

John Locke Inspired by Glorious Revolution Government has to answer to its citizens People have natural rights Government should be based on a social contract: agreement between a government and its people

Which event was most influenced by John Locke’s idea of natural rights A. Renaissance B. Reformation C. American Revolution D. Scientific Revolution

The French “Philosophes” 18th century French intellectuals Interest in addressing a broad audience Committed to reform Celebrated the scientific revolution Science applied to society

VI. The Role of the Salon Discussions/Parties held by French aristocratic women in their private drawing rooms Feminine influence on the Enlightenment

Denis Diderot’s Encyclopedie Written between 1751- 1772 Attempted to illustrate all human knowledge (art, science, religion, etc.) Supported idea of freedom of religion Supported fairness in society

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) The Spirit of the Laws (1748) Political power should be shared among classes Argued for Separation of Powers Admired British government Influence in France and US

Voltaire (1694-1778) Enthusiasm for English institutions Wrote plays, essays, and novels Supported freedom of religion Deism: religion based on reason (God set everything in motion and then natural law set in)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) Swiss Government should be based on the will of the people Wrote The Social Contract What society wants should be law

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) One of few philosophes to live to see the French Revolution Enlightenment was a personal process—release from immaturity More optimistic than Rousseau “Dare to Know”— Enlightenment was an act of personal courage

All of the following were thinkers of the Enlightenment except: A. Jean-Jaques Rousseau B. John Wycliffe C. John Locke D. Thomas Hobbes

Absolute Monarchs Kings and Queens that ruled with absolute (total) power Despot-a ruler with absolute power (often rules in a cruel way) Some incorporated Enlightenment ideas during their reign (period of time they ruled)

Louis XIV of France: “Sun King” Ruled from 1643-1715 (72 years) Built Versailles (MASSIVE palace outside of Paris) Revoked Treaty of Nantes (gave freedom of religion to French protestants called Huguenots) Fought numerous wars Depleted French treasury

German Leaders Austria and Prussia were largest Germanic states Frederick the Great (Prussia): more freedom of speech and religious tolerance Marie Theresa (Austria): reforms include improved living conditions for serfs and setting up schools Joseph II (Austria): tried to free the serfs and make taxes equal. Nobles forced him to back down

The Russian Czars Peter the Great: ruled 1682-1725 Turned Russia from a Tsardom into an EMPIRE Expanded land Cultural revolution based on scientific and modern reforms Catherine the Great: ruled 1762-1796 Tried to free the serfs (changed her mind after rebellion) Supported Enlightenment ideas Further expanded Russia land and strengthened military

Mercantilism Countries compete for limited resources Found colonies that could provide resources Take what is needed from a colony to increase the wealth of the mother country

Mercantilism

Characteristics of Mercantilism

European View of Mercantilism