1. Toward a New World View The Enlightenment

2. Intellectual movement of the late 17 th and 18 th centuries…a product of the Scientific Revolution.

3. The Enlightenment Key Principles of the Enlightenment:  Belief that natural science and reason can explain all aspects of life  The scientific method can explain the laws governing human society  Progress—the creation of better societies and better people—is possible.

4. Bernard Fontanelle 1657-1757 Made the new science understandable to a large nonscientific audience. Stressed the idea of progress. Doubted the concept of absolute truth.

5. Pierre Bayle 1647-1706 Famous Skeptic. Argued that nothing can be known beyond all doubt. Stressed open- mindedness.

6. John Locke 1632-1704 An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) Experience is the only source of knowledge. The human mind as birth is a Tabula rasa (Blank Tablet). Consequently, the knowledge of which we are capable is quite limited.

7. The Philosophes Committed to bringing the new thinking to an educated Public, not necessarily to the Masses.

8. Baron de Montesquieu 1689-1755 French social commentator and political theorist. Articulated the concept of the separation of powers in government.

9. Voltaire 1694-1778 French writer, essayist, deist and philosopher. Opposed injustice and unequal treatment before the law. Defender of civil liberties and social reform

10. Adam Smith (1723-1790) Founder of modern economics. Wrote Wealth of Nations. Government has three purposes:  Protection from invasion  Defend citizens  Maintain Public Works

11. Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778 Attacked rationalism and civilization. Claimed that children must develop naturally. Argued that the General Will of the people is sacred and absolute.

12. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) Early efforts to gain rights for women. Argued against tyranny of men over women.  Same as tyranny of a government.

13. Madame Geoffrin 1699-1777 French hostess who began to gather her “circle” in 1748. She gave two dinners per week: Monday for artists, and Wednesday, for the encyclopedists and philosophers.

14. Madame Geoffrin’s Salon

15. Impact on the Arts New Style – Rococo  Emphasis on grace and emotion  Pleasure, happiness, and love New Composers  Bach, Handel, Mozart  Emotional music

16. Enlightened Absolutism Many philosophes believed that enlightened reforms could best be implemented by enlightened monarchs. Changes were best made from above rather than be forced from below.

17. New Rulers Emerge Enlightened Philosophies influence government. People have rights!  Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, Worhsip, Pursuit of Happiness  Citizens demand that these rights be recognized and protected.

18. Frederick the Great of Prussia Servant of the people. Abolished torture, granted limited freedom of speech, press, and complete religious freedom. Many reforms were enacted, but the conservative social order remained.

19. War and Rivalry France vs. England  Compete over North America Seven Years War (French and Indian War)  France: Great Lakes and had N.A. allies.  England: 13 colonies along east coast. 1754 war begins over control of Ohio River Valley.  England wins: Treaty of Paris - 1763

21. 13 Colonies Provide wealth back to England. Governed by England and pay taxes back to English government. Colonists begin to resent British control.  7 Years War cost England a lot of $$ and they want colonists to share the cost. Believe they can govern themselves.

22. 1765 – Stamp Act Required certain printed materials (legal documents and newspapers) to show a stamp proving taxes have been paid to Britain. Protest/Boycott/Repeal by Parliament More taxes = more Protest/Boycott/Repeal

23. American Revolution Colonists organize: Continental Congress formed to resist Britain. Boston occupied by British troops. Declaration of Independence:  1776 Colonists declare their independence from England.

24. War Lexington and Concord: 1775 – first shots of the Revolution. Revolutionary War: 1775-1783 George Washington leads Continental Army Yorktown – 1781 England defeated England seeks peace: Treaty of Paris – 1783

25. Birth of a Nation 13 strong states are united under Articles of Confederation (too weak to be effective) 1787 Constitutional Convention. Constitution written and ratified. Founding Fathers create new form of government based on Enlightenment Philosophers.

26. Impact on American Government Representative Democracy:  Greeks/Romans Social Contract:  Rousseau Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances:  Montesquieu 3 Branches of Gov., Bill of Rights based on the ideas of the Natural Right of Man (Life, Liberty, Property)  John Locke