The Enlightenment: Astell & Wollstonecraft How do women influence the Enlightenment?

Women & the Enlightenment Mary Astell  , from England  Was committed to equal rights for women  Wrote A Serious Proposal to Ladies  Influences: Women’s rights movements  Nicknamed “The First English Feminist”  Astell argues against other Enlightenment philosophers ideas because of the unequal relationship between men & women  Discusses the serious lack of educational opportunities for women  Quote: “If all men are born free, how is it that women are born slaves?” (critical of Locke)  Astell’s ideas influence Mary Wollstonecraft

Mary Wollstonecraft  , from Britain (England)  Committed to gender equality and co-education  Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women  Influences: Co-education, 19 th Amendment, Title IX  During this period, many males scolded women for reading because it would encourage wickedness  Wollstonecraft urged women to read arguing that Enlightenment should apply to both men & women.  Philosophers like Rousseau argued strongly for education but said that girls should be educated on how to be a helpful wife & mother  She wrote that women’s education should not be secondary to men’s  She urged women to enter male-dominated fields allowing Women to become productive members of society

Final Thoughts  Enlightenment thought encouraged a new way of thinking  People now believed in progress and that the world can improve both in science and in politics  The Enlightenment encouraged a more secular (non- religious) outlook on issues  The Enlightenment stresses the importance of the individual

Major Ideas of the Enlightenment Enlightenment IdeaPhilosopherImpact Natural Rights – life liberty and property Found in the US Declaration of Independence Separation of powers Three branches of government detailed in US Constitution Found in Bill of Rights No cruel & unusual punishment Religious FreedomFound in Bill of Rights Freedom of thought and expression Found in Bill of Rights Women’s equality Title IX law, coeducational schools John Locke Montesquieu Beccaria Hobbes Voltaire Wollstonecraft