Changes in Western Thought Moving away from Absolutism

English Civil Wars/ Revolution A little history of the English Monarchy War of the Roses brought Tudor family to power Henry VII late 1400s Henry VIII, do you remember Henry? Edward VI –dies young Mary “Bloody” - Catholic – Married Philip II Elizabeth I– Spanish Armada defeated 1588 Strong, well liked, Protestant, no male heir

The Stuart Dynasty James I– England and Scotland joined, smart, poor with finances Charles I – Problems with Parliament and Puritans Parliament would not give him money He sent them home for 11 years, continued to tax He violated the Petition of Rights Forced Anglican religion on Puritan Scots Rebellions began, Charles called Parliament into session, then they rebelled against him

Civil War !!! Cavaliers vs. Roundheads King’s people Parliament (mostly Puritans) Roundheads win Captured King Charles I - he was tried for treason, and beheaded.

What now? Commonwealth was formed – like a Republic In 1648 a military figure named Oliver Cromwell took over Became dictator of a strict Puritanical government No dancing, newspapers, walks on Sunday

Bring back the Stuarts! 1660 Charles II- restoration of monarchy “Merry Monarch” -more tolerant of Parliament Religious issues still lingered

Peaceful Revolution 1685 James II – sympathetic to Catholics Whigs & Tories joined against him 1688 Glorious Revolution William and Mary - Bill of Rights Had a huge impact on America and France

Onto the Enlightenment Think about the word, what does it mean? New intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and power of individuals to solve problems (18th century) Lot’s of discussion on the role of government and religion Role and behavior of government was questioned

Two Different Points of View Thomas Hobbes (lived during Civil War) John Locke (lived during Glorious Revolution)

Hobbes - Leviathan A world with a “war of everyman versus everyman,” and a life that is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” A bleak and scary life, right? It is the nature of humans; they are selfish creature he says What do you need? A social contract! You need an absolute monarchy

John Locke Locke, opposite from Hobbes More confident in people Self-government People are born free and equal with natural rights of “life, liberty and property” You could rebel against the government Who did this have an impact on? American colonists (the Declaration of Independence)

What defines the era of the Enlightenment? It was a French movement 18th century Influenced by the Scientific Revolution, Newton and Locke, and all the political changes in England Led by the philosophes

5 Concepts of Enlightenment Reason – Truth could be discovered Nature – Should be observed, it holds the answers Happiness – Now! Not later Progress – Humanity can be and should be improved Liberty – Rights and Freedoms

Who were these Philosophes? Voltaire Montesquieu Rousseau Beccarria Smith

What about women? Women play a part in this movement, but are not included in the discussion They help spread the ideas and host gatherings but the enlightenment thinkers do no support women having more of a say

The movement brought… A more secular outlook Critiques of government/religion Emphasis on the individual and the need for education

How were these ideas spread? Salons, coffee houses, an emerging print culture, and a new book called the Encyclopedia

Enlightened Monarchs (Enlightened Despots) Embrace some of the ideas of the Enlightenment Frederick II (the Great), Joseph II, Catherine the Great Most of their reforms did not last

However… Over in America, the Enlightenment spurred revolution. Hopefully, you remember the story French and Indian War Taxation without representation Declaration of Independence The Revolutionary War Constitution and the Bill of Rights