The Enlightenment
What was the Enlightenment? The Age of Reason Late 1600s- 1800s Change of society through reason Challenged faith, tradition, and the Catholic Church Began to apply philosophy to politics and the arts Closely tied to the Scientific Revolution
Enlightened Absolutism Frederick the Great (Prussia) Catherine the Great (Russia) Joseph II (Austria) Leaders began to bring in Enlightened thinkers to change and reform governments
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) English Wrote Leviathan Social Contract theory Rights of the individual Natural equality for all men
John Locke (1632-1704) English Tabula Rasa Knowledge is derived from experience Two Treatises of Government Life, health, liberty, and possessions Civil liberty and government to resolve conflicts
Montesquieu (1689-1755) French Division of state Separation of Power Divided classes in France Monarchy, aristocracy, and commons Division of governments Monarchy, republic, dictators
Voltaire (1694-1778) French Fought for civil rights of the people Fair trial, freedom of religion, separation of church and state Challenged the established French government
Rousseau (1712-1778) Swiss/French Social Contract Direct democracy Enter into a social contract to preserve and offer freedom Direct democracy Sovereignty (Right to make laws) should be with the people
Social Changes Literacy rates increased More people were encouraged to learn and think for themselves The importance of the arts was stressed Mozart and other composers began becoming popular, gained audiences, and made money for their works and performances