1. The Enlightenment 1500 AD – 1750 AD
Mr. Meester
World History

2. Vocabulary Natural Law Philosophes John Locke Voltaire Montesquieu
Rousseau

3. The Scientific Revolution
Started with Galileo
Changed the theory of the universe from earth-centered to sun-centered.
This era emphasized the use of reason which aided in the development of natural law.
Natural Law: Rules that are made discoverable through the use of reason.
Galileo

4. Pre-Enlightenment Thinkers
Thomas Hobbes
Thought people were selfish and violent
Needed to be controlled by a “social contract”
They give up freedom for an organized society
Absolute Monarchy was the best government
John Locke
More optimistic believed all people were born basically good with “natural rights”
Life, liberty, and property. (Favored Democracy)
If the gov. fails to protect them citizens should change it. (Revolt?)

5. Hobbes vs. Locke
People are BAD
People are GOOD

6. The Enlightenment
A period during the 1700’s that focused on reason and how to apply natural law to the understanding of all life.
The movement started in Paris, France and was led by men known as the Philosophes.
They were reform minded thinkers
Believed that reason would lead to reforms in gov., law, and society.

7. Montesquieu
Examined society and politics in order to find natural laws that guide us.
His biggest contribution was the modern concept of “checks and balances” through a “separation of power”.
He recommended dividing governments into 3 branches including a legislative, executive, and judicial. (sound familiar?)

8. Voltaire
Voltaire spoke out against the French government and Catholic Church.
He was a huge believer in the Freedoms of speech & religion.
Advocated deism
the belief that God created the universe but does not interfere with its’ daily workings.

9. Rousseau Most famous for his work The Social Contract
Similar to Hobbes & Locke
Man is born free
Gov. control is ok if it was freely formed.
Rousseau concluded that the good of the community should be placed above individual interests. (General Will)

10. Women’s Rights
Feminism was founded during this period by Mary Wollstonecraft.
The Enlightenment did not apply to women
Except for the areas of the home and family.
Wollstonecraft argued that women have reason so they are entitled to the same rights as men.
Education was the key to equality