1. Enlightenment Human reason to improve society-
live according to natural laws
Religions that relied on faith or refused to tolerate diversity were wrong
Goals should be center on improvements in material and social life
Belief that human beings were good and that education and reason could improve this situation even further
Focus on the role of mankind in relation to government
Greatly influenced U.S. constitution
Which in turn serve as a model for others
Developed as a result of the scientific revolution

2. Principles of Enlightenment
Religions that relied on faith or refused to tolerate diversity were wrong
Humans behave according to natural laws

3. Philosophes Began with Philosophes
French philosophers who would meeting at salons to discuss their beliefs
Some followed the scientific philosophy of Deism
That there is a God who created earth, and then left it to be operate by natural laws

4. Social Contract
Governments were not formed by divine decree, but to meet the social and economic needs of the people being govern
Reasoned that individuals existed before governments did
Governments arose to meet the need of people not the other way around

5. Core of Philosophy Reason Nature Happiness
Truth discovered through reason or logical thinking
Absence of intolerance, bigotry or prejudice in one’s thinking
Nature
What was natural was also good and reasonable
Happiness
A person who lived by nature’s laws would find happiness.
Impatient with medieval notion of that people should accept misery in this world and find joy in the afterlife

6. Progress
Believed if people used the scientific approach, society and humankind could be perfected
Liberty
Society should be set free
French envied the liberties that the British had won

7. Rousseau “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains”
All men are equal and should be organized according to general will
Majority rule of the people
Social Contract
Essence of freedom is to obey laws that people prescribe for themselves

8. People give up some of their freedom in favor of a common good
Believed that civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness
Argued that all people are equal and titles of nobility should be abolished.
a direct democracy
Influence revolutionary movements as well as anti-slavery movements

9. Hobbes Support social contract
Preserve peace and stability at all costs
Individuals give up rights to strong rulers to gain law and order
Rulers need total power to keep citizens under control
Without government to keep man in order life would be bleak
Believed that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked
Best government was an absolute monarchy

10. Locke Criticize absolute monarchy in favor of idea of self government
People have natural ability to govern themselves and look after the welfare of society
All men are born free and equal
All people have 3 natural rights
Life, liberty and property

11. Purpose of government is to protect natural rights
If government fails to protect natural rights, citizens have the right to overthrow the government
Government comes from the consent of the people

12. Montesquieu Separation of Powers Checks and Balances
Division of authority between executive, legislative and judicial branches
Checks and Balances
Prevents one branch of government from dominating other branches
Basis for the U.S. Constitution

13. Voltaire
Used satire in writings against clergy, aristocracy and government
Mock the laws and customs of France
Raised doubt about Christian religion
Religious toleration
Stronger believer in tolerance, reason, freedom of belief and speech

14. Beccaria
Believed law existed to preserve social order, not avenge crimes
Believed accused should receive a speedy trial.
Never use torture
Wanted to abolish capital punishment

15. Wollstonecraft Argued that women deserve the same rights as man
Key to equality and freedom is better education

16. Common themes for Enlightenment thinkers
Did not presume that government had divine authority
Proposed governmental systems that would best serve the interest of the people by protecting individual rights and liberties

17. Adam Smith Economist Wealth of Nations Avoid government regulation
Favor individual initiative and market forces

18. Enlighten Monarchs
Tolerance, justice, and improvement of people’s lifestyle became guideline for new breed of rulers
Joseph II of Austria
Frederick II of Prussia
Still ruled as absolute monarchs but did make attempts to
Tolerate diversity
Increase opportunities for serfs