Was absolute rule an effective way to rule during the 17th and 18th century? Explain

Absolutism vs. Democracy Government by the people Consent of the governed Individual rights and liberties (equality*) Absolute Monarch Extreme power by a single monarch No (few) rights and liberties Citizens have no influence/say on how they are to be ruled

A questioning spirit...

The Enlightenment “Age of Reason” 1700’s

Traditions and Superstitions The “Great Debate” Traditions and Superstitions Reason & Logic Rationalism Humans could understand the world using rational principles empiricism tolerance Skepticism—questioning religious truth & values Deism—mechanic God (Voltaire) , denounced organized religion nostalgia for the last organized religions irrationalism emotionalism

Causes of the Enlightenment Renaissance Reformation Printing Press Scientific Revolution re-evaluate old ideas of society sought new insight into the underlying beliefs of gov’t, religion, economics & education

What was the Enlightenment? Intellectual movement stressed reason & thought & the power of the individual to solve problems Natural law: a universal moral law that, like physical laws, could be understood by applying reason

5 Concepts of the Enlightenment 1. Reason- reason + logic = truth 2. Nature- what was natural was good and reasonable 3. Happiness- rejected joy in hereafter; seek well-being on earth 4. Progress- society and human kind can improve 5. Liberty- freedoms (democratic republic protects freedom)

Thomas Hobbes 1588-1679 Strong central authority Social contract *Rebellion may be necessary only if there are severe abuses

Hobbes The Leviathan All humans are naturally selfish and wicked Without gov’t life would be brutish, nasty, solitary and short Social contract- people must hand over their rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law and order Rulers need total power because people act in their own self interest Best gov’t= absolute monarch—impose order and demand obedience

John Locke 1632-1704 Two Treatises of Government, 1690 Power to the people! Consent of the governed A republic is the best form of gov’t

Locke Humans were naturally good and could learn from experience and improve Had the natural ability to govern their own affairs and to look after the welfare of society All people are born free, equal and with natural rights: life, liberty and property Purpose of gov’t- protect the rights of the people Social contract- gov’t power comes from the consent of the governed- must protect their rights- and if they fail to do so, the people can rebel

Montesquieu 1689-1755 The Spirit of Laws, 1748 Separation of Powers Believed in rights of the individual Influenced writing of the constitutions in many countries—including U.S.

Voltaire 1712-1788 Candide (satire) Served in the Bastille His works mocked the Church and royal court of France Served in the Bastille “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Tolerance, reason, Freedom of Religion & Speech Spoke out against religious fanaticism & superstition

Rousseau 1712-1778 Human beings naturally good—civilization and institutions were corrupting Science/reason does not always = morality 1762—The Social Contract— “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” People give up individual rights to the “general will” (will of the majority) *This idea has been held by dictators to justify their policies

Beccaria 1738-1794 On Crimes and Punishment, 1764 Condemned torture and the death penalty Accused should receive a speedy trial Punishment fits the crime

Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797 A Vindication of the Rights of Women, 1792 Women’s equality with men Favored equal education for men and women so both could contribute equally to society Encouraged women to enter the fields of medicine and politics

The Legacy….=] Writers challenged long held ideas about society Found the need to reform Philosophers lived in “the world of ideas”- formed and popularized new theories, encouraged reforms, but were not active revolutionaries Their theories inspired the American, French and Latin American Revolutions Shaped Western Civilization

Major Ideas of the Enlightenment Thinker Impact Fundamental to U.S. Declaration of Independence Natural rights—life, liberty, property Locke—Two Treatises of Government Separation of Powers Montesquieu—The Spirit of the Laws France, U.S. and Latin America nations use separation of powers in new constitutions Freedom of thought & expression & Religion Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights and French Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen; European Monarchs reduce or eliminate censorship and reduce religious persecution Voltaire Abolish torture, punishment should fit the crime, no torture, no death penalty Beccaria On Crime & Punishment Guaranteed in U.S. Bill of Rights & French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen; European Monarchs reduce persecution Women’s equality Wollstone- craft Women’s rights group form in Europe & N. America The Social Contract, Influenced democratic thought. People give up individual rights to the “general will” (will of the majority) “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Rousseau—The Social Contract

Enlightenment… Let’s discuss this Further….

Denis Diderot (1713-1784) All things must be examined, debated, investigated without exception and without regard for anyone’s feelings. We will speak against senseless laws until they are reformed; and, while we wait, we will abide by them.

Diderot’s Encyclopédie

The Encyclopédie Complete cycle of knowledge…………...… change the general way of thinking. 28 volumes. Alphabetical, cross-referenced, illustrated. First published in 1751.

Pages from Diderot’s Encyclopedie

Pages from Diderot’s Encyclopedie

Pages from Diderot’s Encyclopedie

Subscriptions to Diderot’s Encyclopedie

Reading During the Enlightenment Literacy: 80 % for men; 60 % women. Books were expensive (one day’s wages). Many readers for each book (20 : 1) novels, plays & other literature. journals, memoirs, “private lives.” philosophy, history, theology. newspapers, political pamphlets.

Popularizing the Enlightenment

The Royal Academy of Sciences, Paris

A dissection at the Royal Academy, London. Zoology & Biology A dissection at the Royal Academy, London.

Chemistry Labs & Botany Gardens

Natural History Collections Cocoa plant drawing. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753). Collected from Jamaica.

A Parisian Salon

Madame Geoffrin’s Salon (1750-1777)

Madame de Pompadour Mistress to Louis XV Intelligent Courtly charm Admired by philosophes

Up Next…. The French Revolution