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The EnlightenmentChapter 17

Section One: The Age of Reason

The Age of Reason

What is the Enlightenment?

What caused the Enlightenment?

English Thinkers

Thomas Hobbes

Hobbes’ theories: Argued that people were naturally

cruel, greedy, and selfish. People must be strictly controlled Social contract- an agreement by

which they gave up their freedom for an organized society

Believed in a powerful government orderly society

Believed in the need and use of an absolute monarch

Wrote Leviathan

John Locke

Locke’s theories People are reasonable and moral People should have natural rights-

rights that belonged to all humans from birth. Life, liberty, and property

People form government to protect their natural rights

Best type of government: limited power and accepted by all citizens.

Lock believed in the right of revolution

Rejected absolute monarchs Wrote Natural Rights and Two

Treaties on Government

Baron de Montesquieu

Montesquieu’s theories: Limited monarchy Divided government into

separate powers: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

Montesquieu thought that each branch should check the other

Wrote The Spirit of Laws

French Thinkers

Paris is considered the home of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution

Philosophes- applied scientific methods to better understand and improve society- lovers of wisdom

Voltaire

Voltaire’s theories: Targeted corrupt officials Wrote about inequality, injustice,

and religious prejudice Through his ideas, he offended the

Catholic Church Voltaire was imprisoned Books were burned Advocated Enlightened Despotism Against slave trade and deplored

religious prejudice Wrote Candide

Denis Diderot

Diderot’s theories: Produced a 28 volume

encyclopedia Purpose of the

encyclopedia: change the way people thought

Denounced slavery Advocated for freedom

of expression and education for all

Translated his encyclopedia's to other languages- helped spread ideas.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau’s theories: People were naturally good,

society corrupted people Some government control is

necessary “General will” best

conscience of the people Individuals should be

subordinate to the community “Man born free, everywhere

he is in chains.”

Marquis de Beccaria

Wrote “On Crimes and Punishment”

Government should use reason and equality

Punishment should be based on harm done to society

Opposed to torture Influenced Enlightenment Despots:

Frederick the Great abolished torture

Catherine the Great restricted the use of torture

Joseph II abolished the use of torture and capital punishment

Women During the Enlightenment

Women did not have the same rights as men did

Women’s rights were limited to the home

1700’s- women protested for their rights

Mary Wollstonecraft- argued that women were excluded from the social contract Wrote “A Vindication of the

Rights of Women”- called for same sex education

Economics

Physiocrat- person who advocates for economic reforms

Laissez faire- the thought that government should operate with no government interference. Means “hands off”

Adam Smith

Wrote “The Wealth of Nations” Argued for free market-

allowing the natural forces of supply and demand to dictate business

Invisible hand- the concept related to show how manufacturing, trade, wages, and profits were all linked to supply and demand

Believed in Laissez faire- economy better without government regulation

Enlightenment Ideas Spead

Achieving a “Just Society” People began to challenge the old

ways of society People saw a need to reform Known as the “Age of Reason”-

ideas of Divine Right were debated and ended- considered unscientific and unnatural

Just Society- meant to ensure material, well-being, social justice, and happiness in this world

Enlightenment Ideas Spread

Censorship Government and church authorities felt that they had

a duty to defend the old government Old government was set up by God Government and Church officials banned books,

burned books, and imprisoned some writers Many were forced to publish under a fake name

Enlightenment Ideas Spread

Salons New literature, arts,

science, and philosophy were all discussed in salons

Salons were informal gatherings where writers, artists, philosophers, and others exchanged ideas

Originated in the 1600’s. 1700’s- women were

beginning to go to salons

Enlightened Despotism

Enlightened Despots- ruler who used their power to bring about political and social change

The Enlightenment thinkers tried to convince European rulers to adopt their ideas

Some monarchs did accept the Enlightenment ideas

Enlightenment Despots- absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change

Enlightened Despot

Frederick the Great Expected tight control over his

subjects Saw himself as the first “servant of

the state” Wanted help from Voltaire Frederick the Great tolerated

religious differences, welcoming victims of religious persecution

His reforms directly impacted the Prussian government

Recognized the civil service and simplified laws

Rationalized bureaucracy stronger monarchy

Enlightened Despot

Catherine the Great- Russia Asked for help from Voltaire and

Diderot Made limited reforms in law and

government Granted nobles a charter of

rights Spoke out against serfdom Restricted the use of torture Wanted education for boys and

girls Limited religious toleration Catherine did not want to give

up power

Enlightened Despot

Joseph II Son of Maria Theresa from

Hapsburg Austria Joseph II’s nickname “peasant

emperor” Continued his mothers reforms Chose talented middle class

officials rather than nobles to head government departments

Granted toleration to protestants and Jews in Catholic Empire

Ended censorship Sold property of unproductive

monasteries and convents Abolished serfdom

Effects of the Enlightenment

Constitutional Government and Enlightened Despotism New economies Causes: American, French, and Latin American Revolutions New Ideas:

Relationship between government and society Women’s rights Social justice Violence and torture Basic liberties

The American Revolution What were the causes to

the American Revolution? How did the

Enlightenment influence the Revolution? Thomas Paine

What were the effects of the American Revolution?

What thinkers and their ideas are present in the Declaration of Independence and later, the US Constitution?