1. Mr. Meester AP European History
The Enlightenment
Mr. Meester
AP European History

2. Science & Enlightenment
Influenced by science, writers and thinkers of the Enlightenment attempted to test everything by observation and by determining cause-and-effect relationships.
The Enlightenment also focused on rationalism - the belief that truth can be arrived at solely by reason.
Because of this characteristic, the period is often called the Age of Reason

3. The Philosophes
These men were the intellectual leaders of the Enlightenment.
Many were from France, but the movement to most European countries.
They were reformers who tried to get their ideas put into law.
They were elitists who often addressed their ideas to rulers and powerful institutions.
They didn’t always agree.

4. Enlightenment In France
Many Philosophes were heavily influenced by the writings of John Locke.
Baron de Montesquieu published his “Spirit of the Laws, in 1748.
Supported the idea of having three separate branches of government.
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Jean Jacques Rousseau published “The Social Contract” in 1762.
A free and good state to which men are born can be preserved only if men live under a government of their own choice an control.
“Government by Consent”

5. Voltaire Voltaire was a famous and influential French writer.
Considered Isaac Newton as the greatest man of all time.
Savagely attacked all things he considered sham and superstition.
Advocated religious toleration and freedom of speech. A Treatise on Toleration (1763)
“I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

6. Diderot Denis Diderot published his Encyclopedia in 1772.
Consisted of 28 volumes
Attempted to encompass all human knowledge including new ideas in science and government.

7. Kant
Immanuel Kant was a German professor who created a universal code of ethics
The Universal Imperative is based on logic and reason.
Your actions in order to be right must be right in all situations.

8. Beccaria An Italian aristocrat he wrote On Crimes and Punishments.
He wanted rational laws in which the intent of punishments were to deter further crime.
Not for revenge. Spoke out against torture & capital punishment

9. Deism
The Philosophes were often critical of organized religion, but most weren’t opposed to religion.
Many believed in Deism which was based on Newton’s view on a rational God.
God exists and created the world and nature can be rationally explained.
They also believed in life after death with rewards and punishments based on the virtue of one’s life.

10. Conflicts with Religion
Philisophes preached tolerance of religions but often spoke against religious practices and dogma.
Both Christian and Jewish faiths were targeted by the Philosophes.
Islam was both attacked and defended.
Tolerant of other religions, but politically subjected its people to depotism.

11. Physiocrats Enlightenment thinkers who studied economics.
Believed that the primary role of government was to protect property and to permit the owners to use it freely.
Economic production depended on sound agricultural practices.
Combining small farms into larger, more efficient farms.
Many denounced the policies of mercantilism.

12. Adam Smith Published his “Wealth of Nations”: in 1776.
Smith reasoned that all business and economic activity is regulated by two natural laws:
the law of “supply and demand.”
the law of “competition.”
Smith felt every man should be free to do what he thought best for himself.
Opposed mercantilism and supported “Laissez Faire” economics
Limited government interference in the economy.

13. Malthus & Ricardo
Thomas Malthus published “An Essay on the Principles of Population” in 1798.
Population grows geometrically while food production grows arithmetically.
David Ricardo published the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation in 1817.
“Iron law of wages”
wages are based upon population and if population further increases wages will continue to decrease