1. The Enlightenment Historical Figures Monday Lecture on:
Lecture Theme: The Philosophes believed that they could copy the rational methods of scientists to eliminate unjust laws and create a better society.

2. ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How and why did the ideas of the Enlightenment begin to challenge the accepted order and traditions of European society?

3. Enlightened Monarchies
The Enlightenment
All societies have problems.
How society deals with problems reflects the values of that society.
An attempt to correct the problems of Europe through logic and reason.
Natural Rights
Separation of Powers
All societies have problems.
i. Katrina Hurricane in New Orleans.
How society deals with problems reflects the values of that society.
i. Who does society race to protect, the rich or the poor.
An attempt to correct the problems of Europe through logic and reason.
i. Science, logic and reason could provide all of the answers to the problems of society.
ii. The idea of Natural Rights by John Locke would set all men free!
iii. An enlightened monarchy, like in use in England, could maintain order in society but also protect the rights of the people.
iv. For some, new government would be needed with a form of government based on a constitution that separated the powers of government to prevent tyranny.
v. As government was a social contract between the people and the government.
This is what the Enlightenment set out to do -
Enlightened Monarchies
Social Contract

4. The Enlightenment “Salon”
Intellectual movement centered in Paris
Writers, professors, journalists, economists and social reformers
Mostly from the Nobility and Aristocracy
The Enlightenment “Salon”

5. Louis XIV, King of France
Believed in the Divine Right of Kings
Was the opposite point of view of the Enlightenment
Worked to create a centralized state.
“L’État, c’est moi” = I am the State
Born 1638, died 1715.
i. He became king at 5 years old and remained king until his death.
ii. His 72 years on the throne was the longest in European history.
iii. He outlived all of his children, most died before adulthood.
iv. His 5 year old grandson would become Louis XV.
Worked to create a centralized state.
i. “L’État, c’est moi” = I am the State
Louis had an unshakeable belief in the divine right of kings.
i. He saw no need to consult his subjects or his nobles.
Wars, palaces, and chateaus bankrupted France.
i. He spent lavishly, on his favorite nobles and military officers.
ii. The numerous wars France fought during his 72 year reign created massive debts.
Louis XIV, King of France

6. Louis XIV
Louis had an unshakeable belief in the divine right of kings.
He saw no need to consult his people, the nobility or the clergy.
Wars, palaces, and chateaus bankrupted France.

7. John Locke
English philosopher and Enlightenment thinker, influenced Voltaire, Rousseau, and our Founding Fathers.
His writings influenced the French and American Revolutions.
He believed that all people were born with natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that government exists to protect these rights.

8. John Locke Wrote about the idea of checks and balances in government.
Believed that revolution was not only a right but an obligation in some cases.
His ideas greatly impacted the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

9. Charles-Luis “Baron” Montesquieu
French political scientist and Enlightenment thinker, wrote The Spirit of the Laws.
Believed that women could be the head of governments and was opposed to slavery.
Credited with the concept of Separation of Powers.

10. Baron Montesquieu
Believed that governmental powers should be divided into three branches that were equal in power: legislative, executive, and judicial
Was considered radical because it went against the French Monarchy and called for the end of feudalism.

11. Francois-Marie Arouet – known simply as Voltaire
He was a French Enlightenment writer, essayist, deist and philosopher.
Wrote under a pseudonym (aka a fake name)
He strongly defended civil liberties
Freedom of religion
Right to a fair trial
“All men are brothers under God”
He was a French Enlightenment writer, essayist, deist and philosopher.
i. He wrote as many as 21,000 letters during this time.
He strongly defended civil liberties.
i. Freedom of religion.
ii. Right to a fair trial
Outspoken supporter of social reform despite strict censorship.
i. His works to criticize Christian Church dogma and the French institutions of his day.
Deism is based on reason and natural law. The Supreme Being is not a personal God, but an impersonal being. Deists imagined that God created a world-machine that was perfect. Once set in motion, the universe ran according to natural laws, without the need for constant supervision or occasional miracles.
Francois-Marie Arouet – known simply as Voltaire

12. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau was born into a poor middle-class family in Switzerland.
During his travels, he came upon the idea of the “Social Contract.”
Agreement among society to be governed by the general will.
General will is what is best for society.
It is the idea of majority rule.
The greatest good for the greatest number of people
Rousseau was born into a poor middle-class family in Switzerland.
i. As a young man, he wandered through France and Italy, making a living doing odd jobs for low pay.
ii. He eventually makes his way to Paris where he wrote several essays.
During his travels, he comes upon the idea of the “Social Contract.”
i. Rousseau argued that people had adopted laws and government to preserve their property.
ii. In doing so they had enslaved themselves by government.
ii. A contract between government and people.
Agreement among society to be governed by the general will.
i. Self-interest has to give way to what is best for society.
General will is what is best for society.
i. It is the idea of majority rule.
In Emile, Rousseau discusses the “natural man.” The goal of education should be foster a child’s natural instincts. The goal was a balance between heart and mind, between emotion and reason. Unfortunately, Rousseau didn’t think very highly of women and he thought that women should be obedient and have nurturing skills so that they could best care for their husbands and children.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

13. Mary Wollstonecraft, Mother of Mary Shelley
Considered to the be the founder of European and American movements for women’s rights.
Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792.
Absolutist King = Absolutist Men?
Women – having reason – have rights!
Considered to the be the founder of European and American movements for women’s rights.
Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women.
Absolutist King = Absolutist Men?
i. Intellectuals have for years argued that women were inferior to men.
ii. But if John Locke’s idea on natural rights (rights that we are all born with) applies to men – shouldn’t it also apply to women?
iii. At a time of great injustice in society (absolutist kings) when society will no longer tolerate orders from an absolutist ruler, why should women have to take orders from absolutist men?
Women, having reason, have rights.
i. The Enlightenment is based on the fact that all humans have reason and logic.
ii. Humanity is made up of two halves – male and female.
iii. Doesn’t logic dictate that reason is both a male and female trait?
Largely, the answer for Mary at this time was “no.” Though her work was powerful, it is largely ignored for a few hundred years or so.
Mary Wollstonecraft, Mother of Mary Shelley

14. ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How and why did the ideas of the Enlightenment begin to challenge the accepted order and traditions of European society?