1. Rationalism “The Age of Enlightenment”
By: Connor Lang, Connor Whitbey, Kyle Bianchi, and Colin Young

2. What is Rationalism?
A belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.
Rationalism is often contrasted with empiricism, the belief that all knowledge is gained through experience with external senses and inner feelings like pain.
The practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in life.

3. What is the Enlightenment?
A European intellectual movement that emphasized individualism and reason instead of tradition.
The Enlightenment is the period in the history of western thought and culture, that stretched roughly from the mid-seventeenth century through the eighteenth century.
It was characterized by revolutions in science, philosophy, society and politics.
These revolutions swept away the medieval world-view of the Puritans and brought in our modern world views based on reason and evidence.

4. Leading up to the Enlightenment
Isaac Newton:
Newton played a major role in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. His ideas about the universe helped to shape our modern physics and mathematics. After inventing Calculus in the mid 1600’s, he began to lead the way in scientific thinking which eventually became known as the Enlightenment.
Johannes Kepler:
Kepler made many advances in astronomy which changed the perspectives of the universe. He is most known for his laws of planetary motion which helped set the stage for Newton’s theory of universal gravity. Johannes was religious, as was Newton and the vast majority of people at the time. However, his contributions to the scientific revolution led the way to the Enlightenment.
Kepler
Newton

5. The Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War, or the American War of Independence, started in when the original 13 colonies wanted independence. This fight for independence between Great Britain and America would eventually end in a victory for America, however, now that they were independent, the newly formed United States now needed a new form of government, one that was different than their old monarchical system. Luckily this idea of having a new form of government prompted many people to write about the pros and cons of different types of government systems that could be implemented. The sudden change of government is one of the big reasons the Enlightenment occurred.

6. Enlightenment Ideas
The Enlightenment was a movement involving rational and logical thinking and ending abuse from the Church. Before the scientific revolution of the 17th and 18th centuries, faith and belief prevailed. The Puritans believed that living by God’s scripture was very important. Many early American colonies were Puritan, which meant Church and State were one entity . Rather than follow the ways of the Puritans, the ideas of the Enlightenment era followed that only data and evidence could be trusted. The separation of Church and State allowed the government to be ran in an unbiased fashion while retaining morals from the citizens who lived in it.

7. Rationalism Art Styles
Rococo: Also known as late baroque, influenced sculpture, painting, architecture, interior design, decoration, literature, music, and theatre. It was created as a protest against the strict regulations set by the baroque art style, as such, the rococo style is much more playful and asymmetrical. It was mostly prominent in Europe.
Neoclassicism: This art style drew inspiration from ancient Greek and ancient Roman cultures. Was created in opposition to both the baroque and rococo art styles, focusing on simplicity and symmetry. It can be seen in a lot of today’s government buildings.
Poop

8. Declaration of Independence
Document written on July, 4th, 1776.
Announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer a part of the British Empire.
This has been called one of the best-known documents in the English language, containing "the most potent and important words in American history". It represents a moral standard to which the United States should strive.
Is seen as part of the Rationalist movement because it is a document stating official rebellion against the British. The people were rebelling the old British ideas and government and strived to achieve a government based off freedom to all people. This government would help turn away from the old medieval way of living, and shape the new, modern society we have today.
John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence shows the drafting committee presenting its work to the Congress

9. Works of Literature from the Enlightenment
Common Sense-
Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet on the tyranny of Great Britain, invoking American colonies to rebel. This had some influence on how the Declaration of Independence was written, as well as prompted the colonies to go to war against Britain.
Poor Richard’s Almanack-
One of the quintessential works of literature, Poor Richard's Almanack displayed the ideals of the Enlightenment era. Taking a logical spin on Proverbs from the Bible, it adapts the Bible’s wisdom to apply to modern times. (page 119)

10. American Dream
Rationalism relates to our modern day concept of the American Dream in many ways. Because of its roots in the Declaration of Independence, one of its main goals was freedom. Influential writers such as Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin used logical reasoning as to why the American colonies should separate from Britain in order to pursue their own ideals. The basic premise of the American Dream is that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or social class, should be able to pursue happiness. This was written in the Declaration of Independence, so that through the numerous generations to come, everyone would have equal opportunity in life. Our founding fathers also played a major role in ensuring that church and state remain separate so that religious beliefs wouldn’t be forced upon the entire nation. Rather, the Constitution’s first amendment prevents the government to interfere in religion so that each person can practice their beliefs unhindered.

11. Sources http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/enlightenment/