1. Age of Enlightenment
How did Enlightenment thinkers influence society around them?
What were the major ideas of the Enlightenment?

2. Enlightenment Age of rational thinking to solve human problems.
Followed up on the Scientific Revolution.
Led by Philosophes – intellectual thinkers of Enlightenment
Social commentators

3. Enlightenment Philosophes

4. Modern-Day Philosophes?

5. Philosophes Social Commentators of The Enlightenment
Intellectual leaders who led the movement
Influenced many societies and governments throughout Europe
Many Philosophes had a direct influence on the American style of government

6. John Locke Belief that everyone was born a blank slate – tabula rasa
People are formed by their beliefs and experiences
Belief in natural rights of man – life, liberty, property

7. Baron de Montesquieu Belief in 2 major concepts for government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances

8. Jean Jacques Rousseau
Belief in the social contract and popular sovereignty
Rule should be based on good of the people
Favored an enlightened despot as a leader

9. Voltaire Satirical writer of the Enlightenment
Criticized organized religion
Exposed evils of society through comedic social commentary

10. Diderot
Editor of 1st Encyclopedias

11. Adam Smith Enlightenment Economist Wrote Wealth of Nations, 1776
Believed in invisible hand of free enterprise
Laissez-faire economics – people should do what they want to do

12. Mary Wollstonecraft Pushed for women’s rights
Believed women have same rights as men

13. Spread of Enlightenment Ideals
Explosion of printed works – magazines, books, journals, newspaper articles
Salons – entertaining rooms for the wealthy where enlightenment ideals were discussed and debated