The ChallengeEnlightenment ideas of reason and thought challenged old society, saw the need for reform to achieve a just societyMiddle Ages- Time of confusion ppl sought Divine Right Rule, strict class system, heavenly reward for struggle. Restored order in SocietyAge of reason defined above as unscientific and irrational

Start: How we Spread the IdeasWord of Mouth

Printing Press

Salons/Coffee houses

Diderots Encyclopedia

Music/Muscians

Art/Artists

Books/Writers

Major Enlightenment IdeasEvery social, political and economic problem could be solved through the use of reasonGovernments are created to secure an orderly societySeparation of powers is the best way to protect human libertiesAll men are created free and equalA free market should be allowed to regulate trade

Enlightenment and the EconomyPhysiocrats rejected mercantilism in favor of a policy called laissez faire.Physiocrats were Enlightenment thinkers who focused on economic reformsLaissez-Faire: allowing business to operate with little or no government interferenceReal wealth comes from productive land not gold and silverSupported free trade and opposed tariffs

Adam Smith: Free market should be allowed to regulate business activityManufacturing, trade, wages, profits and economic growth are all linked to the market forces of supply and demandWhere there is demand, suppliers will seek to meet it because there are profits and economic rewards to be hadSmith supported laissez faire, but also believed that a government had a duty to protect society, administer justice, and provide public works.His ideas lead to very productive economies during the Industrial Revolution (1800s and 1900s)

Major Enlightenment Ideas for SocietyDetested the slave trade and slaveryDeplored religious prejudiceDefended freedom of speechAttacked divine right theoryUrged education for allHated unequal distribution of propertyBelieved governments should be freely electedWomens first duty was to her family

Enlightenment Changes SocietyWomen: Women were not equal and were criticized for attempting to gain equalitySalons: Men and women gather in living rooms to discuss Enlightenment ideas (chat rooms)Music: Ballets and operas become popular (Bach, Handel, Mozart)Art: Baroque gives way to rococo art (simple, elegant and charming)Literature: Novels become popular (Robinson Cruesoe)

Enlightenment Changes SocietyMajority/Lower Class/Peasants: Slow to change and hurt the worstSerfdom disappears in the west, rises in the eastPeasants in Western Europe allowed to own or rent landAll peasants throughout Europe dealt with similar issuesForced into militaryLands could be torn up without compensation by nobilitySome peasants become eager for change, some resist change completely

German Composer:BACH

Art of the Enlightenment

Political Change in England: Had Civil War before Enlightenment Period intensified. Change was more smooth and gradual. Already had a limited government set up with Parliament and a Monarchy. Transformed into Constitutional Government-government where power is limited and defined by law. Had documents for peoples rights, Magna Carter and Bill of Rights.

Declaration of Independence.

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness

Political Change in America:John Lockes ideas inspired revolutionaries in North America.Colonists used Lockes idea of natural rights, and the peoples right to revolt, to go against the English governmentColonists quoted from Locke in the Declaration of Independence.

The American RevolutionWas the American Revolution just a revolt against British taxation?How was it based on Enlightenment principles?In what ways is the Declaration of Independence based on John Lockes Treatises on Government?

Changes in Russia, Prussia, and AustriaHow Did our Enlightened Despots make changes to preserve their government?

Frederick the Great When Frederick was not busy fighting wars, he had swamps drained and forced peasants to grow new crops such as the potato. He had seed and tools distributed to peasants who had suffered in Prussias wars. Frederick also tolerated religious differences, welcoming victims of religious persecution. In my kingdom everyone can go to heaven in his own fashion. Fredericks reforms were directed mainly at making the Prussian government more efficient. He reorganized the civil service and simplified laws. A rationalized bureaucracy also meant a stronger monarchy- and more power for Frederick himself.

Catherine the Great Catherine II of Russia read the works of the philosophes and exchanged letters with Voltaire and Diderot. She praised Voltaire as someone who had fought the united enemies of humankind: superstition, fanaticism, ignorance, trickery. Catherine, who became empress in 1762, toyed with Enlightenment ideasEarly in her reign, she made some limited (small) reforms in law and government. She granted nobles a charter of rights and criticized the institution of serfdom. Like Frederick in Prussia, Catherine intended to give up no power. In the end, her political contribution to Russia was not reform but an expanded empire.

Joseph IIThe most radical of the enlightened despots was the Hapsburg emperor Joseph II, son and successor of Maria Theresa in AustriaAn eager student of the Enlightenment, Joseph traveled in disguise among his subjects to learn of their problems. His efforts to improve their lives won him the nickname the peasant emperor. Maria Theresa had already begun to modernize Austrias government. Joseph continued her reforms. Despite opposition, he granted toleration to Protestants and Jews in his Catholic empire. He ended censorship and attempted to bring the Catholic Church under royal control . He sold the property of many monasteries and converts and used the proceeds to build hospitals. Joseph even abolished serfdom, however, Like many of his other reforms this measure was canceled after his death.

STOP: How some Governments tried to protect themselvesCensorship:Writers wrote under false namesBurning writings:Wrote in countries that allowed freedom of speechImprison Philosophers/writers:Wrote ideas in fiction books

Voltaire most famously wrote under false names and in fiction after being prisoned and exiled for his ideas