1. The Enlightenment Main Idea Essential Questions
European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the Enlightenment.
Essential Questions
How was the Enlightenment influenced by reason?
What new views did philosophers have about government?
What new views did philosophers have about society?
How did Enlightenment spread?

2. The Age of Reason
Scientific Revolution convinced many European thinkers about power of reason
Wondered if reason could be used to study human nature, society
Viewed reason as best way to understand truth
Concluded reason could be used to solve all human problems
This time of optimism now called the Enlightenment

3. Ideas of Enlightenment
The Age of Reason
Held notion that world problems could be solved
New ideas debated in coffeehouses, public spaces
Writers published ideas
Ideas of Enlightenment
Paris, center of intellectual activity
Parisian women hosted social gatherings, salons
Philosophers, artists, scientists, writers regularly discussed ideas
Peak of Enlightenment

4. Find the Main Idea
What exciting conclusion did philosophers reach during the Enlightenment?
Answer(s): Reason could be used to solve all human problems.

5. New Views on Government
As the Enlightenment began, European thinkers began looking for ways to apply reason in order to improve the human condition.
English thinker, wrote that absolute monarchy best
Believed people needed government to impose order
People selfish, greedy
Should exchange some freedoms for peace, safety, order
Thomas Hobbes
English philosopher, believed all people born equal
Government should protect people’s natural rights
Monarchs not chosen by God
Power limited by laws
Ideas foundation for modern democracy
John Locke

6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
French philosopher, believed people basically good
Believed society corrupted people
Wrote The Social Contract, contract between all members of society
“Man is born free but everywhere is in chains.”
View of Government, Society
Believed government should work for common good, not wealthy few
Individuals should give up some freedoms for benefit of community
Despised inequality in society
Views inspired revolutionaries in years to come

7. Baron de Montesquieu Separation of powers The Spirit of the Laws
Best form of government divided power among branches of government
Separation of powers kept individual or group from abusing power
The Spirit of the Laws
Published 1748, showed admiration of Great Britain’s government
Powers divided into branches: legislative, executive, judicial
Parliament made laws, king carried out laws, courts interpreted laws
Checks and balances
Separation of powers allowed each branch to check against power of others
Concept later important structure of democratic governments

8. Make Inferences
Why was the subject of government so important to Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu?
Answer(s): Each philosopher had strong opinions about the power and purpose of government.

9. New Views on Society
Voltaire
Outspoken philosopher,
Attacked injustice among nobility, government, church
Created enemies, imprisoned twice
Defended principles, fought ignorance
Lifelong struggle for justice, toleration, liberty

10. Diderot & Encyclopedia Attacks by French leaders
New Views on Society
Diderot & Encyclopedia
determined to try to compile knowledge into a single work
extensive 35-volume work took 27 year to complete
Spread Enlightenment ideas
Attacks by French leaders
- Criticisms of church, government, legal system
- Tried to stop publication
- Completed in secret
Adam Smith
used reason to analyze economic systems
wrote The Wealth of Nations
Strong believer in laissez-faire economics, no govt. regulation
Believed economy would be stronger if market forces of supply and demand were allowed to work freely

11. How did philosophers apply reason to issues in society?
Summarize
How did philosophers apply reason to issues in society?
Answer(s): They used reason to challenge existing societal views and government policies.

12. Enlightenment Ideas Spread
The spirit of optimism quickly spread throughout Europe. A few monarchs became enlightened despots, changing their systems of government and ruling according to Enlightenment ideas.
Enacted some reforms like: education, some religious tolerance, abolishment of torture
Prussia, Russia, Austria
Did not make reforms to achieve justice but to make own rule more powerful
No religious tolerance for Jews
Opposed serfdom, did not abolish
Limitations
Changes resisted by nobility, church
had no intention of giving up power
Reality?

13. Enlightenment Ideas Spread
Challenged Beliefs
Writers, philosophers questioned ideas long held as absolute truth
Challenged beliefs in absolute monarchies, questioned relationship between church and sate, debated rules and rights of people in society
Promoted ideas reformers and revolutionaries would later use to change society
Belief in progress spurred many to enact reforms
Believed reason could solve any problem
Did not accept poverty, ignorance, inequality as facts of life
Reforms
Ideas about power, authority inspired reforms and revolutions
American colonists inspired to break free from British monarchy
Colonists strongly influenced by political views of Locke, Rousseau
Revolutions