The Age of Enlightenment Notes

Overview – Restate it During the late 1600s and 1700s in Europe, well-educated people known as Philosophers (“philosophes” in French) met in French salons and English drawing rooms to discuss political, economic, social, and religious questions. Their discussions helped shape the capitalistic democratic world that we live in today. Because this period was a time of high intellect and new ideas, historians have called it the “Age of Enlightenment” or “Age of Reason.”

Overview – Restate it During the late 1600s and 1700s in Europe, well-educated people known as Philosophers (“philosophes” in French) met in French salons and English drawing rooms to discuss political, economic, social, and religious questions. Their discussions helped shape the capitalistic democratic world that we live in today. Because this period was a time of high intellect and new ideas, historians have called it the “Age of Enlightenment” or “Age of Reason.”

Let’s get rid of old Medieval Ideas! The Enlightenment New Ways of Thinking Scientific Revolution spurs rethinking of many ideas Apply reason and natural law Leads to the Enlightenment A movement stressing reason and thought

Thomas Hobbes – “Social Contract” English philosopher Distrusts humans, favors strong government to keep order Promotes Social Contract Getting order by giving absolute power to monarch Examples today? Wrote Leviathan (1651) where he argued all humans are naturally selfish and wicked.

Locke’s Natural Rights Born in England People have Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property John Locke says government gets power from the people People create a government by an agreement called a Social Contract Stresses that people have the right to overthrow an unjust government

Philosophes Advocate Reason Beliefs of the Philosophes French social critics Value reason, nature, happiness, progress, liberty Voltaire Influential Philosophe Used a fake name: Francis Marie Arouet Criticized the corruption in the French govt. Distrusted democracy, believed philosophical monarchs should rule (Who is this similar to that we have learned about?) Fought for civil rights and a balance of power and taxes between the rich and poor. Wanted freedom of thought and religion

Baron de Montesquieu French philosopher Believed that any group in power will try to increase its power Governments need to be controlled Governments need separation of powers Balance of power three branches of government Checks and balances

Jean-Jacques Rousseau French philosopher Favors individual freedom, direct democracy Government formed by people Social Contract is between citizens to form government The only legitimate government is one that is created by citizens People should be trusted to use their conscience to vote for the good of the entire community

Cesare Beccaria Works to reform justice system Calls for speedy trials, greater rights for criminals Banning torture

Simon Bolivar A Venezuelan General Influenced by Locke and Rousseau Nicknamed the “Liberatador” and the “George Washington of South America.” Influenced to create a rebellion based on John Locke’s “consent of the governed” Helped win the freedom of South America from Spanish rulers

Adam Smith Scottish Philosopher Defended the ideas of free economy, or free markets Economic liberty guaranteed economic progress. CAPITALISM!! Governments should not interfere with markets Natural Laws of Economics: Law of self interest People work for their own good Law of competition Competition forces better products Law of supply and demand If supply exceeds demand, the price will go down

Women and the Enlightenment Many Enlightenment thinkers take traditional view on women Mary Wollstonecraft wants more rights for women Need of quality education Wants women in male professions like politics Writings about inequalities Some wealthy women use status to spread Enlightenment ideas Social gatherings called salons

Legacy of the Enlightenment Role of Philosophes Not activists, but inspire major revolutions Belief in Progress Scientific breakthroughs show ability to improve society More Secular Outlook New knowledge leads people to question religion Criticism of Christianity Importance of the Individual More emphasis on rights and abilities Reason becomes main concept or philosophers, rulers