9/4 Focus: The Scientific Revolution inspired intellectuals to apply reason to the study not only of science but also of human society Do Now: Identify one European absolute monarch?

The Enlightenment

The Scientific Revolution Period in the 1500’s and 1600’s Scientific thinkers began using observation and experimentation to explain the natural world Use of the Scientific Method Sir Francis Bacon

The Scientific Revolution Before the Scientific Revolution After the Scientific Revolution Religious teachings and traditional beliefs explained the universe and how the world worked Observation and experimentation used to explain natural world and solve problems Scientific Method Examination of natural laws governing the universe Ex. The Laws of Gravity

The Enlightenment The use of reason to guide people’s thoughts about mankind and its relationship to government and society Known as the Age of Reason Challenged traditional authority Introduced new ways of viewing: Government Authority Power Law

Natural Law Writers and philosophers tried to use reason to discover laws that govern human behavior

9/8 Focus: Enlightenment philosophers created new assumptions about the proper use of power, who had authority, and what made up a good government Do Now: Identify one Enlightenment thinker that was discussed in Global I.

9/9 Focus: Important Terms: Do Now: Enlightenment thinkers used the scientific revolutions emphasis on reason to suggest reforms in government and society. Important Terms: Reason, Natural Law, Social Contract Do Now: What was the theory of Divine Right ?

Philosophes Enlightenment ideas spread from Europe to the Americas Paris, France became a meeting place for enlightenment philosophers Met in salons Discussed politics and ideas about human nature

Philosophes Five core beliefs: Reason Nature/Natural laws Happiness Living by nature’s law Progress Trying to improve society Liberty Reason could set society free

Social Contract Agreement between people and leaders that resulted in organized society People gave up certain rights to a leader Leader was obligated to protect people

Enlightenment Philosophers Thomas Hobbes John Locke Voltaire Enlightenment Philosophers Rousseau Montesquieu

Thomas Hobbes English philosopher; author of the Leviathan People are naturally greedy and selfish Absolute monarchs were needed to create a peaceful society People gave up freedom to the monarch in return for order in society

People are naturally greedy and selfish Powerful governments were needed to create peaceful and orderly society Supported absolute monarchy Thomas Hobbes

John Locke English philosopher; Two Treatises on Government Believed all men were born with certain natural rights Life, liberty, and property People form governments to protect those rights Government can be overthrown if those rights are not protected

People born with natural rights Life Liberty Property People born with natural rights John Locke Governments formed to protect natural rights People can overthrow govt’s that don’t protect these rights

Rousseau French philosopher; wrote The Social Contract Believed people were naturally good but became corrupted by evils of society Unequal distribution of property Scarcity of resources Thought all people were equal Titles of nobility should be abolished

Rousseau The social contract was an agreement between free individuals to create a society, make laws and a government People gave up certain freedoms/self interests to this government for the common good

Rousseau Government should be based on the will of the people “The general will” democracy Citizens and rulers must follow the will of the people Majority should always work for the common good

People both make and obey laws in perfect society Rousseau The common good is more important than what is good for the individual

Baron de Montesquieu French philosopher; On the Spirit of Laws wrote that powers of government should be separated between 3 branches Legislative Judicial Executive Checks and balances prevent tyranny and abuse of power

Separate government powers into 3 branches Legislative Executive Separate government powers into 3 branches Legislative Judicial Montesquieu Each branch checks the power of the others Would prevent tyranny

Voltaire French philosopher who wrote about the importance of freedom of speech, religious freedom, and tolerance Criticized the French government and the Catholic Church

Criticized social injustice French Monarchy Catholic Church Criticized social injustice Voltaire Pushed for freedom of speech, the press, and religious toleration

Points for Discussion Contrast Locke’s theory of natural rights with Hobbes support for the divine right of absolute monarchs

9/11 Focus: Important Terms: Do Now: Many Europeans, including some monarchs, were influenced by enlightenment ideas and sought to change the old order. Important Terms: Separation of Powers, Enlightened Despot, Nationalism Do Now: What three natural rights did Locke believe all people were born with ?

Impact of the Enlightenment Government and church censorship to suppress Enlightenment ideas Impact of the Enlightenment

Impact of the Enlightenment Governments and the Church to try to suppress Enlightenment ideas Censorship Removing politically dangerous ideas and info from books, newspapers, etc. Books bans & book burnings Arrest of some enlightenment philosophers

Impact of the Enlightenment Government and church censorship to suppress Enlightenment ideas Impact of the Enlightenment Maria Theresa (Austria) Some monarchs accepted enlightenment ideas and tried to reform their countries Joseph II (Austria) Enlightened Despots Catherine the Great (Russia)

Maria Theresa of Austria Joseph II of Austria Catherine the Great Forced nobles and clergy to pay taxes Reduced taxes on the peasants Made primary education available to children reforms and freedom of the press Supported religious toleration Abolished serfdom Reforms to the legal system Religious toleration Land Reforms

Impact of the Enlightenment Government and church censorship to suppress Enlightenment ideas Impact of the Enlightenment Maria Theresa (Austria) Some monarchs accepted enlightenment ideas and tried to reform their countries Joseph II (Austria) Enlightened Despots Catherine the Great (Russia) American Revolution Inspired sense of individualism & belief in basic equal rights Growth of nationalism French Revolution People demand more democracy in gov’t Revolutions in Latin America

Points for Discussion According to Montesquieu, what was the best way to prevent tyranny and abuse of power in government? How did the enlightenment contribute to the outbreak of revolutions in America and France?