Sections 1 and 2 The Enlightenment and the Spread of Ideas

What Goes Up, Must Come Down  If people used reason to find laws that governed the physical world… why not use reason to discover natural laws, or laws that governed human nature?  The Scientific Revolution led to another revolution in thinking, which came to be known as the Enlightenment

Can This Reason be Used for Other Things?  Through the use of reason people and governments could solve social, political, and economic problems.

Same Circumstances, Different Outcomes Two thinkers set forth ideas that were to become key to the Enlightenment. Thomas Hobbes John Locke

Opposites Attract… many readers!  Both lived during the time of the English Civil War but still produced writings with completely different views. Hobbes believes that: People are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish. People entered into a social contract, in order to live in an organized society. Baby born naturally evil (cruel, greedy, selfish)

Give A Little, Take A Little Only an absolute monarch can ensure an orderly society. Because Thomas Hobbes was a supporter of the Absolute Monarchy, specifically the King he would be classified as a Royalist.

The People Demand Relevance!! So what’s the relevance to today? People must be controlled or else society might have massive chaos. ○ What rights do we give up today? ○ What is the Patriot Act?

Patriot Act…uhhh What?  Act of the U.S. Congress that was signed into law by President Bush on October 26, The title of the Act (PATRIOT), stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of Dramatically reduced restrictions on law enforcement agencies' ability to search telephone, communications, medical, financial, and other records

On a Happier Note…. John Locke had a more optimistic view on human nature. ○ He believed that people were basically reasonable and moral ○ People have certain natural rights.

Do I Smell a Revolution??? A government has a duty to the people it governs. ○ If a government fails, the people have the right to overthrow it.

A More Level Playing Field Baron de Montesquieu studied the governments of Europe from Italy to England. ○ The separation of rights is the best way to protect liberty. ○ His sharp criticism of absolute monarchy opened the doors for later debate. In 1748, Montesquieu published Spirit of the Laws ○ In it he discussed governments throughout history and wrote admiringly about Britain’s limited monarchy ○ Each branch of government should serve as a check on the others.

Anything is Possible! ○ Philosophe translates directly to “philosopher” or “lovers of wisdom” Thinkers called philosophes believed that the use of reason could lead to reforms of government, law, and society. One of the most famous of the philosophes was Francois- Marie Arouet, who took the name Voltaire.

Lock Him Up! Was eventually imprisoned for his writings in the Bastille. Defended the principle of freedom of speech. Used wit to expose abuses and corruption.

So That’s Where It Comes From…. Another philosophe Denis Diderot labored for more than 25 years to produce a 28 volume Encyclopedia, which means “circle of teachings”. ○ His purpose was to “change the general way of thinking” ○ The Encyclopedia articles: Denounced slavery Praised freedom of expression. Urged education for all. ○ His articles and positions reflect the ideas of humanism as seen in the Renaissance.

Happy People + Evil Society= Corrupted Unhappy People The most controversial philosophe was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. ○ Believed that people were basically good and that they were corrupted by the evils of society.

Less Interference ○ Argued that government controls should be minimal and should only be imposed by a freely elected government. ○ Felt the good of the community should be placed above individual interests.

Girl Power!!!! They questioned the notion that women were by nature inferior to men and that men’s domination of women was therefore part of “nature’s plan”. Women did have natural rights, according to the philosophes, but their rights were limited to areas of the home and family.

Mary Wollstonecraft ○ Called for equal education for girls and boys. ○ Published A Vindication of the Rights of Women. Mary Wollstonecraft argued that women were being excluded from the social contract itself. Argued that a woman should be able to decide what is in her own interest and should not be completely dependent on her husband. Interesting Fact: Wollstonecraft is Mary Shelley’s mommy

Butt Out Government! Thinkers called physiocrats focused on economic reforms, looked for natural laws to define a rational economic system. ○ Physiocrats rejected mercantilism which required government regulation of the economy to achieve a favorable balance of trade.

FREEDOM!!!!!!!  Physiocrats were in favor of a policy called laissez faire allowing businesses to run with little or no government interference.

We Will Have Our Cake and Eat It Too! Adam Smith argued that the free market should be allowed to regulate business activity. ○ Wrote The Wealth of Nations which outlined his views of supply and demand. ○ Also argued that the government had a duty to protect society, administer justice, and provide public works.

Paris, the heart of the Enlightenment, drew many intellectuals and others eager to debate. ○ Government and Church officials tried to protect the old order.

Shhh!  They banned and burned books and imprisoned writers. To defend against the attacks of the Enlightenment, they used censorship, the restricting of access to ideas and information.

A Genius Hair Salon? To combat against these acts Enlightened thinkers would gather in salons which were informal social gatherings where writers, artists, philosophes, and others exchanged ideas. ○ One of the most respected salons was run by Madame Geoffrin. ○ Mozart and Diderot were regular attendants. NO!

Enlightened despots  the absolute monarchs in 18 th century Europe who ruled according to the principles of the Enlightenment. Catherine the Great of Russia Joseph II of Austria

Enlightened Despot Numéro un Enlightened despots were absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change. FREDERICK THE GREAT ○ Exerted tight control over subjects, but saw himself as a “first servant of the state.” ○ Tolerated religious differences. -Except for Jews he tried to limit the number of Jews allowed to live in Prussia. ○ Distributed seeds and tools to peasants.

Help me, help you ○ Was interested in Enlightenment ideas but intended to give up no power ○ Made some limited reforms in law and government. ○ Granted nobles a charter of rights. ○ Criticized the institution of serfdom -Wouldn’t abolish it because she would lose the support of wealthy land owners if she did. Catherine the Great

Joseph II- Rebel With A Cause!! ○ Most radical of enlightened despots. ○ Granted toleration to Protestants and Jews. ○ Ended censorship and tried to control the Catholic Church. ○ Sold church property to build hospitals. ○ Abolished serfdom. ○ Eliminated the death penalty and torture. -Unfortunately these reforms only remained - until his death then things went back to the - way they were. * Serfdom was the enforced labour of serfs on the fields of landowners, in return for protection and the right to work on their leased fields.

Books and Such Literature ○ Literature developed new forms and a wide new audience. ○ Middle class readers enjoyed stories about their own times. ○ Great numbers of novels were written.

Rococo  elegant style of art and architecture  made popular during the mid-1700s, featured designs with the shapes of leaves, shells, and flowers. Artists and designers developed the rococo style, which was personal, elegant, and charming.

Baroque  ornate style of art and architecture popular in the 1600s and 1700s. Palace at Versailles Baroque Greek and Roman tradition or in a grand complex style.