The Enlightenment: Ideals, Contributors, and Consequences By Carolen Sadler Laguna Beach High School World History

Definition  a European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition.

Origins  Outgrowth of the Scientific Revolution of 1500 & 1600s Remember the Scientific Revolution? Here’s a quick review.

The Scientific Revolution Scientist discovered many scientific laws for the first time. Nicolas Copernicus proposed the model of a sun- centered universe. Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity.

Origins Continued  Increased contact between Europeans and the wider world.  Growing prosperity and rise of middle classes. Trade

Philosophical Belief Enlightened thinkers believed in the power of human reason and the perfectibility of mankind. Trust nature and man Distrust institutions and traditions

Question? What were some of the key ideas of the Enlightenment and who were some of the period’s important thinkers? Let me enlighten you.

Enlightenments Ideals Reason Success in science created great confidence in the power of reason. Thinkers believed that reason could solve every social, political, and economic problem.

Voltaire  French  He believed in the ultimate rationality of the universe, but saw many evils and flaws in human society.  Denounced the torture of criminals. Want more?

Cesare Beccaria  Italian  Wrote On Crimes and Punishment  Punishment should fit the crime - Brutal punishment is cruel and unusual.  Hugely influenced modern justice systems including U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Ideals Con’t Separation of Power Protection from tyranny by dividing the functions and powers of government among three separate branches: legislature, executive, and judiciary.

Baron de Montesquieu  French  The Baron felt that each branch of government could serve as a check on the other two. Does this sound familiar? Want more?

Ideals Con’t Natural Rights All humans are born with certain rights. These include the right to life, liberty, and property.

John Locke  English  Locke argued that people formed governments to protect their natural rights.  People have the right to overthrow gov’t if gov’t fails its obligation. Want more?

Warmup  What would be the best way to separate powers in a classroom constitution to prevent tyranny and promote learning?

Ideals Con’t Social Contract An agreement by which people gave up the “state of nature” (no laws, no controls) for an organized society.

Thomas Hobbes  English  To escape a “brutish” life, people agree to enter into a social contract to ensure an orderly society. Want more?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau  French  People are basically good. Government is an expression of the general will. In an ideal society, people would make laws and obey them willingly. Want more?

Who said this? God makes all things good; man meddles with them and they become evil. Answer: Jean Jacques Rousseau

Ideals Con’t Laissez-faire An economic policy that allowed business to operate with little or no government interference.

Adam Smith  English  Smith tried to show trade, wages, profit, and economic growth was linked to supply and demand. He was interested in a free market without gov’t regulations. Want more?

Question? Which two men believed in a social contract between government and society? Answer: Hobbs and Rousseau Click here to review

Ideals Con’t Progress By the early 1700s, European thinkers felt that nothing was beyond the reach of the human mind and improvements could be made to human society.

Question? Which of the thinkers we have discussed believed in the Enlightenment ideal of progress? Answer: They all did! Click here to review

Consequences Age of Democratic Revolutions Enlightenment thinkers wanted to effect a change in people’s worldviews and political institutions.

Enlightenment ideals gave justification for the right to revolt. American Revolution

Enlightenment ideals led people to question the ancien regime. French Revolution

Enlightenment ideals influenced leaders to work for independence and equality among classes. Latin American Revolutions

Question? Are Enlightenment ideals still influential in today’s society?

Bibliography World History: Connections to Today Prentice Hall (Source for primary documents)