The Enlightenment Revisited Chapter 11 Section 4

Principal Characteristics of Enlightenment 1700s known as the Age of Enlightenment Rationalism – Belief that reason and scientific method could explain human nature. Secularism – Downplaying the importance of religion. Philosophers or Philosophes – Thinkers of the Enlightenment

Thinkers of the Enlightenment Hobbes – Absolute monarchy, people were cruel, and social contract. Locke – Limited monarchy, people were reasonable, and freedom is better than power. Voltaire – Freedom of speech and religion. Montesquieu – power divided by 3 branches with checks and balances. Rousseau – People are good, but corruptible. Believed in direct democracy Beccaria – Against torture and capital punishment. For fair and speedy trial.

What About The Women? Mary Wollstonecraft – Argued for equality with men. – Personal Freedom – Economic Independence. – Same educational opportunities – Right to vote!

Extended Vocabulary Enlightened Despotism – system of government in which absolute monarch would rule, but according to the principles of the Enlightenment. Popular Sovereignty – Government created by the people and controlled by the people.

Extended Thinking Where did this occur? Where do you think it will occur next? Page #’s 3,4, and 5.