1. Chapter 17: The Enlightenment and American Revolution
Section 1: Philosophy in the Age of Reason
Scientific Revolution Sparks the Enlightenment
The Scientific Revolution changed the way Europeans viewed the world
Educated Europeans lived by natural laws: discovered by reason
They studied human behavior to solve societal problems
This evolved into the revolution in thinking known as the Enlightenment

2. Hobbes and Locke have conflicting views
Both of these men were key Enlightenment thinkers
Thomas Hobbes believed in a powerful government to control people in their natural state
He believed in the Social Contract and in an Absolute Monarchy
In contrast, John Locke believed people were basically good and had natural rights
Locke rejected Absolute Monarchy and favored Democracy
He also believed in the right of the people to overthrow the government if it fails them

3. His ideas would have an effect on the American Revolution
The Philosophes
Some Enlightenment Thinkers applied science to improve society
They believed that the use of reason could reform all areas of society
Baron de Montesquieu studied world governments and was critical of Absolute Monarchs
In his book The Spirit of the Laws, he argues that the best governments are divided into different branches
(legislative, executive and judicial)
Vocab pg 544, 3-5 pg 548

4. Montesquieu also believed in checks and balances
The most famous philosophe was Voltaire
He believed in saying what he thought
Despite being exiled by the government and the Church, he defended the principle of free speech
Denis Diderot produced a set of books called the Encyclopedia
They contained articles by leading thinkers of the day
They were criticized by the government and the church

5. Despite this, the Encyclopedia influenced Europe and the Americas
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that people were naturally good, but corrupted by society
He believed that government should be freely elected, but place controls on people (Social Contract)
Philosophes argued that women had natural rights, but were limited to home and family
Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women which argued for the rights of women

6. New Economic Thinking
Economic thinkers were known as physiocrats
They believed in a natural law of economics
They were anti mercantilist, and favored laissez faire
They supported free trade and were opposed to tariffs
Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations
He believed that all aspects of the economy were fueled by supply and demand
He believed in Laissez Faire but believed in strong governments to protect the citizens

7. Section 2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread
Enlightenment thinkers found traditional beliefs flawed
The Challenge of New Ideas
All levels of society accepted Enlightenment ideas
Middle-class men met in coffeehouses to discuss new ideas
People began to challenge old ways and wanted to achieve a just society
Pre-enlightenment thinking included
divine right rule
strict class system
heavenly reward for earthly suffering

8. Post Enlightenment thinking included
material well being
social justice
happiness in this world
Enlightenment thinking alarmed both the Church and the government who believed the old system was put there by God
They began a policy of censorship
Despite this Enlightenment writers found ways to get published
Enlightenment thinkers gathered in salons to share their ideas
Salons became places where even women could share ideas

9. Enlightened Despots
Enlightened Despots were absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change
Some of these rulers included:
Frederick the Great
Catherine the Great
Joseph II
Despite their reforms, these rulers, except Joseph, maintained absolute power
The Arts and Literature
Like the rest of society, artists adapted to changing times

10. Changes in art, music and literature all reflected the changing mood of society and were opened up to all members of society
Lives of the Majority
In western Europe peasant life improved during the Enlightenment
Despite some change, some serfdom survived
Vocab pg 550, 3-6 pg 555

11. Section 3: Birth of the American Republic
Britain Becomes a Global Power
Several reasons Britain was a global force:
-location
-climate
-most dominate country in Europe
-offered free trade with few restrictions
King George III re-affirmed royal power and gave seats in parliament to friends
The Colonies in the Mid 1700’s
The colonies were very prosperous for Britain
They were beginning to develop their own distinct culture from Britain however

12. Colonists Express Discontent
King George III believed the colonists should help pay for Britain's costly wars
These taxes led to the phrase “no taxation without representation”
Tensions began to elevate between the colonists and Britain
-Boston Massacre
-Boston Tea Party
Eventually in 1776 the Colonists declare their independence from England
The Declaration of Independence contained key elements from European Enlightenment thinkers

13. The American Revolution Continues
Colonists were well outmatched by Britain
They had some advantages however:
-geography
-determination
-Help from France
Eventually in 1781 the colonists prevail and win the war
Treaty of Paris officially ends the war
Britain was forced to recognize the independence of the United States
Vocab pg 557, 3-6 pg 563