The Enlightenment 1689 to 1789

The Enlightenment Applied reason to the human world, not just the natural world Stimulated religious tolerance Fueled democratic revolutions around the world

Four Principles of the Enlightenment-Philosophes Reason: proof of beliefs. Nature: The idea that natural law governed the affairs of men. Progress: Society could be perfect through reason and science. Liberty: Get rid of Absolutism and instill Democracy

Enlightenment Thinkers and Their Ideas Thomas Hobbes: wrote Leviathan: He supported absolute monarchy John Locke: wrote Two Treatises on Government. Idea that people are sovereign (can make decisions) and monarchs are to rule by consent of the governed, not be chosen by God

Enlightenment Thinkers and Their Ideas Jean-Jacques Rousseau: wrote The Social Contract. Idea that government is a contract between rulers and the people. Montesquieu: wrote The Spirit of the Law. Idea that the best form of government includes separation of powers between branches (example, executive, legislative and judicial)

Enlightenment Ideas and Thinkers Voltaire: Wrote Candide. Believed in separation of Church and State

Mary Wollstonecraft Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women Believed women needed more education in order to rise to virtue and usefulness Women should be nurses and involved in politics

Influence of the Enlightenment Political philosophies of the Enlightenment fueled revolution in the Americas and in France Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence used Enlightenment ideas The Constitution of the United States of America and the American Bill of Rights incorporated Enlightenment ideas

Spread of the Enlightenment Philosophes’ views often got them in trouble 1700’s- Paris was cultural and intellectual capital of Europe Young people from Europe and the Americas came to study and learn Enlightenment ideas circulated

Salons Wealthy women held Salons Social gathering where philosophers, writers, artists, scientists and other great intellects met to discuss ideas and enjoy artistic performances

Diderot’s Encyclopedia Madame Geoffrin helped finance project by a philosophe named Denis Diderot Imagined large set of books where intellects would provide articles and essays Diderot: created Encyclopedia of writings from Enlightenment thinkers Salons and Encyclopedia allowed Enlightenment ideas to spread quickly

Art and Literature Under influence of Enlightenment, styles began to change Reflected emphasis of order and balance Artists and architects worked in a simple and elegant style Inspired by Greece and Rome Late 1700’s: known as neoclassical (“new classical”)

Artists Johann Sebastian Bach- Composer Wofgang Amadeus Mozart- Composer Eugene Delacroix- Painter Miguel de Cervantes- Novelist

New forms of Art and Literature Paintings depicted classical subjects, public events, natural scenes and living people (portraits) New forms of literature evolved… example- the novel