The Enlightenment in Europe

Ch. 22 Section 2

Why Enlightenment?• The Renaissance humanists celebrated the

human capabilities• Scientific Revolution challenged previously

accepted ideas• In the case of England, there was a desire

for social and political change

Enlightenment = Age of Reason• Stressed reason, ability of

individuals to solve problems

• RationalismDesire for progress and the creation of better societies and better people

• Enlightenment was primarily secular (worldly)

New Views on Government• The political turmoil in England led people

to consider their ideal government• How should rulers govern? What rights and

freedoms did people have? What role should religion and the Church have?

• Idea that the power of a gov’t comes from the consent of the governed

Enlightenment Philosophes

• Philosophes = intellectuals or social critics (in France)

• One could apply reason to all aspects of life

Jean Huber (1721-1786) Le repas des philosophes

Five Core Beliefs of Philosophes1) Reason through reason/logic2) Nature what was natural was good3) Happiness seek well-being on earth4) Progress society & mankind could

improve5) Liberty called for liberties won in

Glorious Revolution & Bill of Rights

Two Views on Government: Thomas Hobbes• Wrote Leviathan (1651)• People were selfish & wicked• Needed gov’t to keep order• Hobbes’ social contract =

people give up rights to strong ruler in return for law & order

• Hobbes saw best government as absolute monarchy imposes order & demands obedience

Two Views on Government: John Locke • Positive view of human

nature• Tabula rasa human mind

is a blank slate at birth• People learn from

experience & improve themselves

• Criticized absolute monarchy & favored self-government

• Wrote Two Treatises of Civil Government

• Believed people are born free & equal, w/natural rights to life, liberty, & property

• Purpose of government = protect rights if fails, then citizens have right to overthrow

• Government’s power comes from the people (governed) foundation of modern democracy

Voltaire (François Marie Arouet)• Wrote 70 books of political

essays, philosophy, & drama• Used satire against

opponents– Targeted clergy, aristocracy,

gov’t

• Believed in a distant, uninvolved God

• Two prison terms, exiled “It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.” ~Voltaire

• Fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religion, & freedom of speech

• “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death for your right to say it.”

• His most famous work was Candide, which is known for its satire and attack on optimism

Baron de Montesquieu• Devoted to study of political

liberty• Britain as model gov’t

– division of powers: executive (king), legislative (Parliament), & judicial (courts)

– separation of powers kept people from getting total control of gov’t

• On the Spirit of Laws (1748)"When the law making and law enforcement]powers are united in the same person...there can be no liberty." ~Montesquieu

Jean Jacques Rousseau• Influenced by Voltaire• Committed to individual

freedom• Civilization corrupted

people’s natural goodness- “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.”

• Only good gov’t was a direct democracy- formed by the people - guided by “general will” of society- people give up some freedoms in favor of common good

• The Social Contract (1762)

Hobbes vs. Rousseau – “Social Contract”

• Hobbes social contract was agreement between society & gov’t

• Rousseau agreement among free individuals to create society & gov’t

Cesare Beccaria (Italian)• Focused on justice system• Laws existed to preserve

social order, not to avenge crimes

• Against abuses of justice: torture, arbitrary punishments

• Degree of punishment should be based on seriousness of crime

• No torture or capital punishment

Women in the Enlightenment • Most Philosophes had traditional views

toward women- Rousseau girls should be taught to be wife & mother, but should not govern- Some men scolded women for reading novels encouraged idleness & wickedness

"It is against reason and against nature for women to be mistresses in the house... but not for them to

govern an empire. In the first case, their weak state does not permit them to be preeminent; in the second, their very weakness gives them more

gentleness and moderation, which, rather than the harsh and ferocious virtues, can make for a good

environment." ~Rousseau

Women in the Enlightenment• Some male writers argued

for more education for women & women’s equality in marriage– Voltaire disagreed with how

women were treated

• Several women did become prominent in Enlightenment society

Mary Wollstonecraft• A Vindication of the

Rights of Woman (1792)• Disagreed w/Rousseau

by arguing that women need education to become virtuous & useful

• Urged women to enter male-dominated fields such as medicine or politics

• Her daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, wrote the classic novel “Frankenstein”

The Enlightenment Spreads

• Wealthy women hostesses of social gatherings or salons

• Philosophers, writers, artists, scientists, intellects met at salons to discuss ideas

• Salon hostess Marie-Thérèse Geoffrin funded project of philosophe Denis Diderot

• Diderot’s Encyclopedia (1751) large set of books including articles & essays of scholars

• Articles angered French gov’t & Catholic Church– Banned because it

undermined royal authority, encouraged spirit of revolt, & fostered “moral corruption”

Enlightenment ideas spread through newspapers, pamphlets, & political songs

• Growing literate middle class could afford to buy books & support work of artists

• Salons helped the spread of ideas as well

New Artistic Styles

• Art in 1600s-1700s was dominated by style known as baroque- grand, ornate design

• Influence of Enlightenment art changed to neoclassical style- simple, elegant style borrowed from classical Greece & Rome

Classical music emerged lighter, more elegant

• Three composers from Vienna

Franz Joseph Haydn

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Ludwig van Beethoven

New literature known as novels lengthy works of prose fiction

• Crafted plots, suspense, explored character’s thoughts & feelings

• Samuel Richardson’s Pamela first true English novel

• Women also wrote popular novels

Enlightenment & Monarchy

• Many philosophes believed best form of gov’t was monarchy in which ruler respected people’s rights

• Enlightened despots (“absolute ruler”) embraced new ideas of Enlightenment & made reforms

• Enlightened despots wanted to strengthen their countries & enhance their rule

Catherine the Great of Russia

• Avid reader of Voltaire• Continued to “Westernize”

Russia– Modernized agriculture & industry

• Formed legislative committee to review Russia’s laws based on ideas of Montesquieu & Beccaria

• Created 10,000 elected jobs• Encouraged education (of

nobility middle class) & WOMEN!

Catherine expanded Russia

• Gained access to Black Sea• Took territory from Poland as part

of First Partition of Poland in 1772

Enlightenment ideas inspired revolutions…

• British colonial leaders in North America decided to found their own independent republic

Legacy of Enlightenment

• Writers examined principles - divine right of monarchs- union of church & state- existence of unequal social classes

• Philosophes encouraged reform, but were not active revolutionaries- Inspired other revolutionary movements (America & France)

Long-term Effects of Enlightenment1) Belief in progress• Growth of scientific knowledge• Urged an end to slavery • Argued for greater social

equality• Encouraged democratic style

of gov’t2) Rise of more secular outlook• Mysteries explained by

science, not God• Attacked some beliefs &

practices of organized Christianity- promoted tolerance of all religions

Long-term Effects of Enlightenment

3) Rise of individualism• Encouraged people to use

own ability to reason in order to judge right & wrong

• Importance of individual in society gov’t by individuals to promote their welfare

4) Development of new gov’ts (democracies, enlightened absolutism)