17-1: Philosophy in the Age of Reason Thomas Hobbes John Locke Voltaire Baron Montesquieu Jean-Jacques Rousseau Adam Smith Leviathan (1651) – influenced by the English Civil War; Presented concept of the social contract in which people gave up their rights for an organized society and government with absolute power. Two Treatises on Government (1690) – inspired by Glorious Revolution; Governments are formed to protect natural rights of the people and have obligation not to abuse their powers. Criticized powerful institutions for being arbitrary and unjust; attacked corruption and inequality in society and government; supported freedom of speech, press, and religion. The Spirit of the Laws (1748) – challenged Bourbon absolutism in France; Governments needed their powers limited by laws which separate/balance their powers among three distinct branches. The Social Contract (1762) – most radical and challenging work; Argued that society is what corrupts people and wanted to form an ideal government that only/always served the common good. The Wealth of Nations (1776) – challenged mercantilism; Markets should be run by natural laws of supply and demand and governments should not interfere in commerce or trade

17-2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread Diderot’s Encyclopedia Novels Spread of the Enlightenment Salons Courts of monarchs 28 volume set of books that covered topics such as government, philosophy and religion Writers condemned slavery, celebrated freedom of expression, and stressed learning Philosophes used the form of the novel to get around censorship and satirize society Montesquieu’s The Persian Letters (1721) and Voltaire’s Candide (1759) Informal social gatherings where writers and artists had discussions and exchanged ideas Women, like Madame Geoffrin, from the middle class and nobility were often hosts Philosophes tried to persuade rulers to use their ideas to create a more fair/just society Rulers often made attempts at political and social reforms but held onto absolute power

17-2: Major Enlightened Despots Frederick the Great Emperor Joseph II Catherine the Great Created a more efficient Prussian government and simplified laws while punishing corruption Inspired by Voltaire’s writings to expand religious tolerance and to allow freedom of press Respected elements to rights of due process by reducing the use of torture Austrian and Hapsburg monarch who succeeded Maria Theresa and abolished serfdom Wanted to modernize and unify the governments in the various Hapsburg lands Stressed religious tolerance for Protestants and Jews Made important reforms in Russian government and laws influenced by the philosphes Abolished torture and established religious tolerance Granted boyars a charter of rights and criticized the institution of serfdom (until peasants rebelled)

17-3: Birth of the American Republic 1760 – George III became the King of Great Britain 1763 – The Peace of Paris ended the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian) 1764 – Parliament passed major indirect tax on its colonies (Sugar Act) 1765 – Parliament passed first direct tax on the 13 colonies (Stamp Act) 1770 – British soldiers fired on and killed colonists in the Boston Massacre 1773 – Colonists protested the Tea Act with the Boston Tea Party 1775 – War began with minor battles at Lexington and Concord 1776 – Congress declared independence from Great Britain 1777 – Victory at Saratoga convinced France to help the Continental Army 1781 – British army was defeated and surrendered at Battle of Yorktown 1783 – War ended when Britain acknowledged independent United States 1787 – Constitutional Convention held to revise government of the U.S. 1789 – Constitution was ratified and became the supreme law of the land