Enlightenment & it’s Thinkers

E NLIGHTENMENT IS D EFINED A S …. Philosophical movement in Europe that stressed the importance of reason.

C HARACTERISTICS OF E NLIGHTENMENT Belief that world problems could be solved (Scientific Rev). New ideas debated in coffeehouses. Writers published ideas.

C HARACTERISTICS OF E NLIGHTENMENT Reason was a better guide than faith or tradition. Political thinkers applied reason & scientific ideas to government.

ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHES

A. Jean Rousseau - Known For… - Most controversial philosopher of the Enlightenment. - Community over the individual. - Wrote: Social Contract

A. Jean Rousseau - Beliefs: - People will give up their freedoms to benefit society. - People vote on decisions & live by those decisions. - People are inherently good & make good decisions.

B. John Locke - Known For… - Natural Rights : Everyone should/can defend their Life, Health, & Possessions. - Government for the people by the people. - Wrote: Two Treatises of Government

B. John Locke - Beliefs: - Governments are established to defend people’s natural rights. - Government should have limited power.

D ENIS D IDEROT Wrote a 28-volume set – Encyclopedia Purpose – to change the general way of thinking Explained new thinking on government and philosophy

D ENIS D IDEROT Denounced slavery, praised freedom of expression, urged education for all Attacked divine-right theory Catholics threatened to excommunicate all who bought it

C. Baron de Montesquieu - Known For… - First real idea of multiple governments. (Democracy, Monarchy, Autocracy) - Creator of the idea of branches of government. - Executive, Legislative & Judicial - Wrote: Spirit of Laws

C. Baron de Montesquieu - Beliefs: - Against the idea of absolute power. - Believed in separation of powers & system of checks and balances.

D. Voltaire - Known For… - Greatest thinker of the Enlightenment. - Strong dislike of the Catholic Church. - He blamed the church for keeping knowledge from the people to maintain its power. - Wrote: Manner of Spirits of Nations

D. Voltaire - Beliefs: - Government is the down fall of the world; targeted corrupt officials. - Detested the slave trade & religious prejudice. - Wanted to end bigotry & tyranny.

E. Thomas Hobbes - Known For… - People should conform to a government because the alternative is a violent death all men should fear. - The idea of a State of Nature (a world without structure) - Wrote: The Leviathan

E. Thomas Hobbes - Beliefs: - Powerful government. - People are naturally cruel & selfish. - If not controlled, people will fight, rob, & oppress.

F. Mary Wollstonecraft - Known For… - All humans can reason, because women can reason, they should have the same rights as men. - Wrote: A Vindication of the Rights of Women.

F. Mary Wollstonecraft - Beliefs: - Women should have equal rights in education, work, & politics. - Believed women should be good mothers first, but women offered so much more.

John Locke Humans are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish. To escape this “brutish” life people entered into a social contract. Only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society. Believed only an absolute monarchy could keep a society completely orderly. Humans are naturally reasonable, moral and good Humans have natural rights: life liberty and property People form governments to protect natural rights Best government was one with limited power If a government violates people’s natural rights, people have the right to overthrow government Thomas Hobbes