1. The Enlightenment

2. Learning Objectives Describe how science led to the Enlightenment.
Explain the political philosophies of Hobbes and Locke.
Understand the role of enlightened despots.

3. Vocab PG 453 Free enterprise system Censorship Natural Law
Enlightened despot
Social Contract
Natural Rights
Laissez faire
Free market

4. Beginnings
In the 1500s and 1600s scientists began to use reason and science to learn how things worked.
Natural Law – unchanging principle, discovered through reason, that govern human conduct

5. Beginnings
Sir Isaac Newton was a key figure in the Scientific Revolution. Among his many discoveries was gravity.

6. Role of Government
During the 1600s, two English thinkers, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, set forth ideas that were to become key to the Enlightenment. Both men lived through the upheavals of the English Civil War. Yet they reached different conclusions about human nature and the purpose and proper role of government.

7. Role of Government – Thomas Hobbes
Argument: People were naturally cruel and selfish Response: Those people needed to be controlled by a powerful government Government Type: Absolute Monarch Key Term: Social Contract

8. Role of Government - John Locke
Argument: People were basically good Response: Life, liberty, and property Government Type: Limited government power Key Term: Natural Rights

9. Hobbes and Locke on the Role of Government
This illustration from Thomas Hobbes's book Leviathan reflects his belief in a powerful ruler. The monarch rises above all society, just as the mythological Leviathan, or sea monster, rises above all the seas.

10. French Enlightened Thinkers
Thought that you could use reason to improve government, law, and society.
Created Ideas Such as:
Separation of powers
Checks and Balances
Laissez Faire
Free Market

11. The Philosophes

12. Censorship These reforms spread from France to the rest of Europe
In response, most government and church authorities waged a war
of censorship.
Censorship, however, did not stop the spread of ideas. Philosophes and others disguised their ideas in works of fiction.

13. Enlightened Despots
Took Enlightenment ideas but kept absolute control. Brought about limited social and political change
Frederick the Great – Prussia – Kept total control over subjects but allowed free press and religious tolerance
Catherine the Great – Russia – abolished torture and criticized the institution of serfdom.
Joseph II – Austria – Travelled in disguise amongst his subjects to learn of their problems