Today’s Warm Up Put your homework in the bin! Look at the image on page 167 (in the “Reading Like a Historian” section) Take out your class notes and answer the question below: What do you think the darkened room and the illuminated faces of the spectators symbolize?

The Enlightenment Today’s LEQ(s): What was the Enlightenment? What views did philosophes have on the structure and purposes of government?

What was the Enlightenment? A movement led by European philosophes (thinkers) during the 1700s Aimed to enlighten the public Challenged everything – gov’t, religion, education, human nature, etc. Sparked a wave of political revolutions (and still does!)

Onion Article Reflection What point is the author trying to make? What strategy is he/she using to make this point?

a.k.a. the Age of Reason A time when philosophes thought reason could be used to solve all human problems The Reformation and Scientific Revolution paved the way… Think, Pair Share: Why do you think this is? Challenge everything, assume nothing! Rationalism replaces blind faith– apply reason and logic to philosophy, politics, religion and commerce Reverence for authority is replaced with criticism, tolerance, and freedom of thought

How did Enlightenment Ideas Spread? From beer and liquor to coffee Calm, sober discussions in coffeehouses vs. inebriated talk in taverns Philosophes published ideas in books, magazines, and pamphlets Paris = center of Enlightenment activity Wealthy Parisian women would host social gatherings called salons to discuss and debate ideas Break for Salon Activity

Who Were the Enlightenment Thinkers?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Wrote “The Social Contract” Beliefs: People are naturally good; society corrupts Some social controls are good – popular sovereignty People will give up freedoms to benefit the common good “Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains.”

John Locke Wrote “Two Treatises of Government” Beliefs: Agreed with the Social Contract but with limited government Government exists to protect our natural rights – life, liberty, and the right to own property

Thomas Hobbes Wrote “The Leviathan” Beliefs People are naturally cruel and selfish Without gov’t we’re in the state of nature Agreed with Social Contract but with unlimited government People should give up ind’l liberties for safety and social order

Baron de Montesquieue Wrote “The Spirit of the Laws” Beliefs Against unlimited gov’t and absolute power Believed in a system of checks and balances (sound familiar?) Liked Great Britain’s constitutional monarchy

Voltaire Wrote “Manner of Spirits of Nation” Beliefs Very critical of the Catholic Church Believed gov’t would be the world’s downfall due to corrupt officials Hated the slave trade and religious intolerance

Mary Wollstonecraft Wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” Beliefs All humans have reason, therefore men and women should be equal Equality in education, workplace, and politics Women should be a good mother first but have much more to offer

Your Turn… Use page 179 to fill in the chart for Diderot and Adam Smith

Thomas Hobbes John Locke Humans are naturally reasonable, moral and good Humans have natural rights: life liberty and property People form governments to protect natural rights Best government was one with limited power If a government violates people’s natural rights, people have the right to overthrow government Humans are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish. To escape this “brutish” life people entered into a social contract. Only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society. Believed only an absolute monarchy could keep a society completely orderly.