The Enlightenment or “Wow, do I feel smarter!”

The Enlightenment may be seen as a period in the late 1600s and 1700s when writers, philosophers, and social critics re- examined the rules that govern individuals and societies. The Enlightenment may be seen as a period in the late 1600s and 1700s when writers, philosophers, and social critics re- examined the rules that govern individuals and societies. They were influenced in their thoughts by the Renaissance, Reformation and Scientific Revolution – all of which encouraged new ways of thinks – often trying to apply reason and rational thought. They were influenced in their thoughts by the Renaissance, Reformation and Scientific Revolution – all of which encouraged new ways of thinks – often trying to apply reason and rational thought.

Natural Laws Early Enlightenment thinkers rejected the idea that all laws and rights were granted to individuals from their governments or the church. Early Enlightenment thinkers rejected the idea that all laws and rights were granted to individuals from their governments or the church. They believed that from birth people possessed natural rights and were governed by natural laws that could not be changed by people. They believed that from birth people possessed natural rights and were governed by natural laws that could not be changed by people.

Thomas Hobbes Believing in natural laws did not mean that all Enlightenment thinkers applied the concept the same. Believing in natural laws did not mean that all Enlightenment thinkers applied the concept the same. Thomas Hobbes believed that people were naturally cruel and evil. In his book, Leviathan, Hobbes stated that only through a strong ruler/government can the natural brutishness of people be controlled. Thomas Hobbes believed that people were naturally cruel and evil. In his book, Leviathan, Hobbes stated that only through a strong ruler/government can the natural brutishness of people be controlled.

Hobbes helped to develop the theory that people lived together through social contracts. Hobbes helped to develop the theory that people lived together through social contracts. Unwritten understandings that people give up freedoms/tendencies to the government in order to live in an orderly society Unwritten understandings that people give up freedoms/tendencies to the government in order to live in an orderly society

John Locke John Locke rejected the old concept that people were born evil. He promoted the idea of tabula rasa – “blank slate”. John Locke rejected the old concept that people were born evil. He promoted the idea of tabula rasa – “blank slate”. Locke believed that people were born neutral and life experiences made people good or bad. Locke believed that people were born neutral and life experiences made people good or bad.

Tabula rasa was an earth shaking concept. Tabula rasa was an earth shaking concept. According to Locke, societies created either good or bad people – THEREFORE societies needed to be good – THEREFORE people needed to actively pursue good societies – THEREFORE people need to first affect their governments rather than vice versa. According to Locke, societies created either good or bad people – THEREFORE societies needed to be good – THEREFORE people needed to actively pursue good societies – THEREFORE people need to first affect their governments rather than vice versa. Locke wrote many books, but is best known for TWO TREATISES OF GOVERNMENT. Locke wrote many books, but is best known for TWO TREATISES OF GOVERNMENT.

Les Philosophes French writers were at the forefront of the Enlightenment – called philosophes. French writers were at the forefront of the Enlightenment – called philosophes. France did not have freedom of the press and the nobility of France controlled most of society – this fact was often criticized by the philosophes – sometimes landing them in jail. France did not have freedom of the press and the nobility of France controlled most of society – this fact was often criticized by the philosophes – sometimes landing them in jail. This may be seen as part of the start of the French Revolution. This may be seen as part of the start of the French Revolution.

Montesquieu Baron de Montesquieu in 1748 published The Spirit of the Laws in which he promotes the idea of separation of powers and checks and balances as a way to keep tyrants from assuming power. Baron de Montesquieu in 1748 published The Spirit of the Laws in which he promotes the idea of separation of powers and checks and balances as a way to keep tyrants from assuming power. His views were used by the Americans in forming their government. His views were used by the Americans in forming their government.

Voltaire Francois-Marie Arouet wrote under the name Voltaire. Francois-Marie Arouet wrote under the name Voltaire. His essays and fiction writing bitterly attacked established society and governments. His essays and fiction writing bitterly attacked established society and governments. He attacked prejudice, religion, corruption, and the idle rich. He attacked prejudice, religion, corruption, and the idle rich. His most famous work was the satirical novel Candide. His most famous work was the satirical novel Candide.

Voltaire’s attacks on the French government and nobility often caused him to be imprisoned in the Bastille or to be exiled out of France. Voltaire’s attacks on the French government and nobility often caused him to be imprisoned in the Bastille or to be exiled out of France. He was a friend and correspondent to many of the rulers of Europe. He was a friend and correspondent to many of the rulers of Europe.

Voltaire’s Death Mask

Diderot Denis Diderot applied reason to the collection of knowledge. Denis Diderot applied reason to the collection of knowledge. For over 25 years he collected information about everything and placed it in 28 volumes known as the Encyclopedie. For over 25 years he collected information about everything and placed it in 28 volumes known as the Encyclopedie.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau In his book The Social Contract Jean-Jacques Rousseau stated that people should give up only a small amount of their rights to a government and that government MUST be freely elected by the people. In his book The Social Contract Jean-Jacques Rousseau stated that people should give up only a small amount of their rights to a government and that government MUST be freely elected by the people. He believed that people were basically good and should be left alone as much as possible. He believed that people were basically good and should be left alone as much as possible.

Tomb of Rousseau

Mary Wollstonecraft Angered over the exclusion of women from the writings of the Enlightenment, English writer Mary Wollstonecraft wrote On the Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Angered over the exclusion of women from the writings of the Enlightenment, English writer Mary Wollstonecraft wrote On the Vindication of the Rights of Woman.

Adam Smith In a rejection of mercantilism, Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations in In a rejection of mercantilism, Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations in He promoted free enterprise – laissez-faire where the government does not control trade. He promoted free enterprise – laissez-faire where the government does not control trade.

Enlightened Despot A despot is an monarch or ruler with supreme power – absolutism. A despot is an monarch or ruler with supreme power – absolutism. It may seem contradictory, but many of the despots in Europe in the 1700s read and at some level agreed with the writers of the Enlightenment. It may seem contradictory, but many of the despots in Europe in the 1700s read and at some level agreed with the writers of the Enlightenment. Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Joseph II of Austria tried to use reason and rational thought in their rule. Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Joseph II of Austria tried to use reason and rational thought in their rule.

Some abolished torture, some tried to control the state church, and some tried to give their subjects limited rights. Some abolished torture, some tried to control the state church, and some tried to give their subjects limited rights. In the end, most Enlightened despots did not change their kingdoms much – as true Enlightened change would have destroyed their power. In the end, most Enlightened despots did not change their kingdoms much – as true Enlightened change would have destroyed their power.

Joseph II HRE Catherine the Great of Russia

Frederick the Great of Prussia