1. The Enlightenment
Chapter 19
Section 2

2. Key Terms Enlightenment Baron de Montesquieu Salons Philosophes
Social contract
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Baron de Montesquieu
Philosophes
Voltaire
Enlightened despots

3. The Age of Reason 1600’s a new generation of philosophers
Reason could solve human problems
Enlightenment- age of reason, time of optimism and possibility

4. The Age of Reason
People gathered in public and coffe houses to debate ideas
Writers published ideas in books and magazines
1700’s Paris was the center for intellectual activity
Salons-Parisian women hosted gatherings of philosophers, artists, and scientists

5. New Views on Government
Thomas Hobbes-wrote Leviathan said people were selfish and greedy
In a natural state people were “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”
People needed government

6. New Views on Government
People would agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for peace and safety
Social contract-exchange between society and the government
Absolute monarchy best form of government

7. John Locke People are naturally happy, tolerant, and reasonable
He argued all people are born equal
Natural rights of life, liberty and property
Purpose of government is to protect peoples rights

8. John Locke Said monarchs were not chosen by God
People consented to be governed
Governments power to be limited by laws
If government failed to protect their rights
People should overthrow it
Inspired revolutionaries in Europe and the Americas

9. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
French philosopher
Believed people were born good
Society corrupted people
Social Contract wrote “man is born free but everywhere is in chains”

10. Jean-Jacques Rosseau
Believed government should work for the common good
Not for the wealthy few
Individuals should give up some freedoms to benefit the country as a whole
Despised inequality in society
Also inspired revolutionaries

11. Baron de Montesquieu
Best form of government included a separation of powers
Prevent one group from abusing its power
The Spirit of Laws – admiration for British government and its separation of powers

12. Baron de Montesquieu
Separation of powers led to a checks and balance system
Became an important structure in later democratic governments (USA)

13. New Views on Society Voltaire- outspoken French Philosopher
Attacked injustice
Nobility
Church
government
Struggled for religious toleration and justice

14. Diderot and the Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia-Compiled all known knowledge into a single work
Worked on it for 27 years
Leaders attacked it because it criticized the church, government, and the legal system

15. Diderot and the Encyclopedia
Government tried to stop publication
Diderot compiled the remaining volumes in secret
Helped spread enlightenment ideas through Europe and North America

16. Mary Wollstonecraft Rejected that women are just wives and mothers
1792 wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
If men and women had equal education, then they would be equal in society

17. Adam Smith Used reason to analyze economic systems
1776 The Wealth of Nations
Business activities should take place in a free market
Laissez-faire economics- economic system without government regulation

18. Prussia Enlightened despot-ruled according to Enlightenment ideas
Frederick II-duty was to rule with absolute power
Established elementary education
Abolished torture supported most religious tolerance
Reduced censorship

19. Prussia Did not extend religious tolerance to the Jews
Limited how many could live in Prussia
Opposed serfdom
Reforms were made to make Prussia stronger and his own rule more powerful

20. Russia
Catherine II read the works of philosophers, corresponded with them
Supported education and culture
Drafted Russian constitution and a code of laws

21. Russia Considered too liberal and never put into practice
Wanted to free serfs but did not want to lose support from the wealthy
Actually imposed more serfdom on Russians

22. Austria Joseph II- most radical enlightened despot Eliminated torture
Eliminated the death penalty
Provided free food and medicine for the poor
Granted religious tolerance
Abolished serfdom

23. Later, Times and Places Challenged beliefs in absolute monarchy
Relationship between the church and state
Roles and rights of people
Human reason could solve any problem

24. Later, Times and Places
Ideas of power and authority would inspire ideas and revolution
American colonies would break away
Strongly influenced by Locke and Rousseau