1. Absolutism =
complete and unrestricted
control of a nation by a
monarch (Ruled by means of Divine Right- an idea that power of monarch is derived from God)
no representative gov’t
done as a means to keep
order—very strict
prevalent in Europe in the 17th century

2. Leviathan—Thomas Hobbes
Reason for Absolutism
Leviathan—Thomas Hobbes
Written in Said that:
Ppl are harsh, violent & evil
Ab rulers must keep order, control ppl and protect them from each other
Control acheives through fear of
-death
-torture
-loss of power/status

3. The Prince— Niccolo Machiavelli (1513)
Most influential books on the acquisition and use of political power
Seen as a guide even today of how to gain and hold onto power
Using force to rule is better than
the use of fair laws
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”

4. Age of Enlightenment—16th –18th c.
Major Ideas:
Enlightenment -major change in the way that ppl thought of how they should be governed—
Ppl in power rejected new ideas, but ideas spread and revolutions began
Ex. Protestant Revolution was an Enlightened movement because it rejected absolute power of the Catholic Church

5. ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS
Led to
REVOLUTIONS—when ideas were acted on

6. Revolution
A profound change in the way ppl think or act
Can be applied to society, gov’t, economics etc.
Often, revolutions are associated w/ a change in gov’t
During 17th c., the revolution was
based on new ideas and discoveries

7. Age of Enlightenment = period where accepted ideas and beliefs were questioned and a “thought” revolution occurred.
Age of Science
(1500—1700)
Ppl began to think
and analyze scientifically
Sci theories were
questioned
Led to new way of thinking about nature
(Laws governed nature)
Age of Reason
(1600—1800)
Ppl applied new way
of thinking to humans
Began to look for
rational laws that
governed humans
Applied to gov’t,
religion, economics…

8. Jean Jacques Rousseau Major Thinkers of the Enlightenment French/Swiss
Wrote The Social Contract
Gov’t was legitimate only
if ppl consented to it
All ppl are equal
John Locke
English
Wrote Two Treatise on
Gov’t
Right to rebel against
bad rulers
Natural Rights (life,
liberty, property)
Baron de Montesquieu
French
Wrote On the Spirit of Laws
System of “checks & balances”

9. Voltaire
Denis Diderot
French
Used “satire” to criticize
Freedom of speech,
religion, the press
French
Edited Encyclopedia
Power of “intellectual
community”
Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations
Laissez Faire- Capitalism
Free Trade: Self Interest, Competition, Supply and Demand
Hume
1. Consent of the Governed
2. Humans are equal to their rulers
3. All must agree on law

10. What Philospohes were For
Reason (logic) in Gov’t
Ppl should be equal—
No “privileged” classes
Poor should not pay for
lifestyle of the rich
Ppl have natural rights (life, liberty, property)
Ppl should be represented in gov’t—voting
Gov’t should work for ppl—not against them

11. What Philosophes were Against
Following tradition blindly—w/o
any proof that it should be followed
Ex:
Power of monarchs/nobles
Power of
Church
Lack of
questioning
of authority

12. Industrial Revolution 1700s- 1900s.
Because of the scientific advancements, the industrial revolution occurred in Northwest Europe in the 1700s and later in the U.S. in the 1800s
People moved from their agricultural societies to work on factories
Caused a separation in social class based on positions in the factories and money earned (rich got richer and poor got poorer)
New economic/political philosophies emerged to help correct social justice problems
To be cont. Topic #7