1. The Enlightenment
Late 1600’s-1700’s

2. The Enlightenment
Definition: Revolution in thinking. Through the use of reason, people and governments could solve every social, political, and economic problem.

3. Where and When France Center of the movement= Paris
Became an international movement
18th century

4. Origins
Science:
Since there were scientific laws that governed nature and the universe then political, economic, and social relationships could be understood by applying reason as well.
Isaac Newton discovered “natural laws” for universe

5. Enlightenment Thinkers
*Locke
*Voltaire
*Montesquieu
*Rousseau
**Also known as Philosophes
**questioned existing ideas about authority

6. John Locke Wrote “Two Treatises of Government” Defended the Glorious
Wrote “Two Treatises
of Government”
Defended the
Glorious
Revolution

7. John Locke All men are created equal
God granted everyone certain unalienable rights. Those rights are life, liberty, and property
The government’s sole purpose is to protect those rights
If government were to violate any of these rights, then the people have the right to overthrow the government

8. Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

9. Baron de Montesquieu
Government should be divided into three separate powers
Executive (enforces laws), Judicial (interpreted laws), Legislative (makes laws)
Each branch places limits on one another (checks and balances)

10. Voltaire 1694-1778 Strongly believed in Freedom of Religion and Speech
“I disapprove of what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it”
*Why is this important to the success of a democracy?

11. Jean Jacques Rousseau Wrote “The Social Contract”
Wrote “The Social Contract”
Social Contract= People give up individual rights for the good of the majority
Supported Government by the people

12. Traditions and Superstitions
Popular Protest
Reason & Logic
Traditions and Superstitions
Rationalism
tolerance
skepticism
Deism
nostalgia for the past
organized religions
irrationalism
emotionalism

13. Lasting Effects of the Enlightenment
Brought idea of change and reform to societies
Influenced democratic revolutions around the world
American Revolution
French Revolution

14. Review The Enlightenment was a revolution in?
Where did the Enlightenment begin?
What’s another name for enlightenment thinkers?
What influenced the Enlightenment?
Which thinker defended the Enlightenment?
Who believed in 3 separate branches?
Who believed in freedom of religion?
Who supported the social contract theory?