2. 18th Century – The Enlightenment

3. “The Enlightenment is a belief in the ability of the human mind and human enterprise to change the political, social, and economic framework of the world for the better”
Begins with Scientific Revolution; Questioning the world around.

4. Goals of Enlightenment
Philosophes – major thinkers & writers of the day (met at salons to discuss issues)
The goal is freedom - Use the printed word to spread ideas -
Reform is possible, so let’s make our lives better!
-Big question became, do we need God?

6. Makes life harder for two groups
1) Government – calls for reform don’t fall on deaf ears = the creation of public opinion
2) Churches –
-What is the nature of man?
innately bad or innately capable of good
-Humans will be good, if they think it’s valuable! (or else what’s the point of improving their lives on Earth)

7. Different Beliefs than Christianity
Deism =
1) God exists (nature proves it)
2) rewards and punishments after death based on how you lived your life
3) Religion based on accomplishment not prayer

9. Thomas Hobbes Wrote Leviathan
Argued all people were selfish and greedy
Need a strong central government to control the masses (absolute monarchs)
Social Contract = giving up freedom to create government

11. John Locke
Argued all people had life, liberty, and pursuit of property (Natural Rights: given to you at birth and never taken away)
Social contract as well, but power comes from the people
Rejects absolutism, states people are the power. Not the government. (State of Nature, come together, create government = power from consent of the governed)

13. Montesquieu Wrote The Spirit of Laws
Argued for a check and balance system to limit power of the government
Sound familiar? (USA)

15. Voltaire Adamant defender of the French Revolution
Criticized government and the church, famous quote “Kill the infamous thing”
Detested inequality and corruption

17. Jean Jacques Rousseau People born good, as opposed to evil like Hobbes
Writes The Social Contract
Argues society corrupts and creates evil
“The General Will” should prevail, that government should be used to help the community.
Not ones self (sounds like socialism?)

19. Economic Changes
Capitalism rises, little government intervention (Laissez Faire) and private business drive the economy
Adam Smith in Wealth of Nations argues the free market dictates winners and losers, chosen by the people.
Capitalism driven by supply and demand (Need a balance to create growth)

20. The Results of the Enlightenment?
Revolutions in:
France
America
Latin America
South America
Challenge to the church authority, absolutism begins to decline.