1. Bell Ringer
What policies did the absolute monarchs in Russia pursue?

2. EQ: What were the core beliefs of Enlightenment philosophes?
The Enlightenment
EQ: What were the core beliefs of Enlightenment philosophes?

3. Progress and Reason
Scientific progress convinced Europeans of the power of human reason.
Enlightenment thinkers reasoned that the scientific method could be used to discover natural laws, or laws that governed human society.
Through the use of reason, people and governments could solve social, political, and economic problems.

4. Philosophes – French word for “philosopher”; applied to all intellectuals during the Enlightenment

5. Political Thinkers of the Enlightenment
Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan
People are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish.
People entered into a social contract, in order to live in an organized society.
Supported absolute monarchy because only it can ensure an orderly society.

6. Political Thinkers of the Enlightenment
John Locke
Two Treatises of Government
People are basically reasonable and moral.
Believed in natural rights, or rights that belonged to all humans from birth.
People have the right to overthrow a corrupt government.

7. Political Thinkers of the Enlightenment
Baron de Montesquieu
The Spirit of Laws
Admired the British form of government
The separation of powers is the best way to protect liberty (Checks and balances).
Each branch of government should serve as a check on the others.

8. The Philosophes and Society
Voltaire (Francois-Marie Arouet)
Defended the principle of freedom of speech.
Opposed the slave trade and religious prejudice.
Believed in deism – a religious philosophy that was based on reason and natural law – God is a clockmaker
Offended both the French gov’t and the Catholic Church.
Imprisoned and exiled

9. The Philosophes and Society
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Social Contract
Believed that people were basically good.
Corrupted by the evils of society
Argued that government controls should be minimal and should only be imposed by a freely elected government.
Felt the good of the community should be placed above individual interests.

10. Essential Question
What were the core beliefs of Enlightenment philosophes?

11. Review
Agreement made my man to give up certain freedoms in order to receive the protection of society.

12. Review
The idea that God is a clockmaker who created the universe and then left it alone.

13. Review
Baron de Montesquieu argued that the ideal government had a …

14. Review
Life, liberty, and property. Rights that belong to all people since birth.