The Enlightenment: The Age of Reason World History 3219 December 2016

The Enlightenment An 18th century intellectual movement that emerged when scholars & philosophers embraced the new world view & the new way of thinking created by the thinkers of the Scientific Revolution They sought new insight into the underlying beliefs regarding government, religion, economics, and education.

The Enlightenment Just as Newton used natural laws to explain the workings of the universe, philosophers felt they could use reason to discover the natural laws that governed human behavior This period is often referred to as “The Age of Reason”

Enlightenment Thinkers The Enlightenment started from some key ideas put forth by two English political thinkers of the 1600s, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Both men experienced the political turmoil of England early in that century during the civil war which occurred there. However, they came to very different conclusions about government and human nature.

Hobbes & Locke Political Theories

Complete Workbook Part A

Part A Review: Thomas Hobbes Witnessed civil war in England became convinced that if people were left alone without any govt they would constantly fight among themselves Published “Leviathan”

Thomas Hobbes To escape chaos of their natural state, people entered into a contract in which they agreed to give up their freedom to a ruler who guaranteed peace & order

Thomas Hobbes Once people entered into such a contract, they could not rebel, even if they thought the ruler was a tyrant Hobbes supported absolute monarchs

Part A Review: John Locke Two Treaties on Government Purpose of govt was to create order in society Govt was a contract between the ruler & the ruled

John Locke Rulers could stay in power only with the support of the people People had the right to rebel if the ruler was a tyrant Influential to democracy

John Locke Natural rights for people Life, liberty, property With limited power, govt was responsible to protect these rights Ideas inspired both American & French Revolutions

Philosophers Philosophers emerged in the 1700s Believed that science & reason would lead to the enhance human progress & develop civilization Middle class and well educated

Philosophers: Core Beliefs 1. Reason Enlightened thinkers believed truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking. 2. Nature The philosophes believed that what was natural was also good and reasonable. 3. Happiness The philosophes rejected the medieval notion that people should find joy in the hereafter and urged people to seek well- being on earth.

Philosophers: Core Beliefs 4. Progress The philosophes stressed that society and humankind could improve. 5. Liberty The philosophes called for the liberties that the English people had won in their Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights

Philosophers Championed Religious toleration Freedom of speech, press, & ideas Education to end ignorance, prejudice, & superstition End of slavery, torture, & crimes of punishment Reduction in govt censorship to help spread knowledge

Physiocrats These people searched for natural laws to explain economics They favoured free-market economics where all goods are bought and sold without controls Free market would encourage trade which would increase the amount of wealth available for individuals

Enlightenment Thinkers

Complete Workbook Part B

Enlightenment Legacy Over a span of a few decades, Enlightenment writers challenged long-held ideas about society. Examining such principles as the divine right of monarchs, the union of church and state, and the existence of unequal social classes, they held these beliefs up to the light of reason and found them in need of reform.

Enlightenment Legacy While they were not active revolutionaries, the philosophes formed and popularized new theories that encouraged reform. It were these theories which eventually inspired the American and French revolutions and other revolutionary movements in the 1800s. Enlightenment thinking produced three other long- term effects that helped shape Western civilization.

Complete Workbook Part C

Section Conclusion Complete Workbook Part D Complete The Enlightenment: Absolutism and Democracy DBQ