The Enlightenment The Enlightenment is a time period in Europe that starts in the 18th century. Also known as the Age of Reason To enlighten- the idea of shedding light on something, illuminating it, making it clear. Ideas from past movements are now applied to the political aspects of society.

Key Concepts of the Enlightenment Rationalism The idea that people can use reason, or logical thought, to understand and improve the world. Rationalists believed they could analyze and understand patterns in the behaviors of people and governments. Individualism Idea that individuals and their rights are important. Enlightenment thinkers believed that individuals did not always need to sacrifice what they wanted or believed for the good of society or for the good of the government.

Beginnings of Revolution??? Enlightenment thinkers apply both rationalism and individualism to government. These concepts eventually led to conflict because it threatened important social traditions, including religious beliefs.

John Locke British Philosopher during the Enlightenment 1690-wrote Two Treatises of Government People are born with natural rights given to them by God and cannot be taken away Life, liberty and property Believed there was a social contract between people and their rulers. Government protects natural rights while people obey laws of government. If government breaks that contract then people have the right to overthrow said government.

Thomas Hobbes British political scientist during Enlightenment Believed people were driven by their own self interests People are greedy, cruel and selfish Too much freedom was not necessarily a good thing 1651-publishes Leviathan Discusses the need for a social contract. People give up their natural rights in exchange for law and order Law and order enforced by strong monarchs

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Prominent French Philosopher during the Enlightenment. helps form the Philosophes Believed that humans were good by nature, but society corrupts them Writes The Social Contract Proposes that people are born free and government and society restricts them too much Writes that the only form of government that should be allow to restrict people is one elected by the people

Baron de Montesquieu French political philosopher during the Enlightenment 1748-writes The Spirit of the Laws Tried to identify factors of a good and uncorrupt government Three branches of government(executive, legislative and judicial) Believed this separation of powers would keep any one person or group from gaining too much power Believed this separation was only way to protect people’s right Each branch should have a check on the other

Voltaire Philosopher and writer during the Enlightenment Believed that humans needed freedom from government control in order to succeed and progress Believed in freedom of speech, religion and press. “I do not agree with a word that you said but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Mary Wollstonecraft First to advocate for Women’s Equality Education leads to virtue and usefulness Women have right to participate in society

Beccaria Helped form the “Academy of Fists” Devoted to economic, political and administrative reform Stressed the main beliefs of the Enlightenment 1764- published On Crimes and Punishment He focused on the rights of the accused as well as the rights of victims In fear of government backlash Beccaria publishes anonymously until it was received positively Beccaria’s ideas where quoted by American Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

Immanuel Kant German philosopher Considered to be one of the greatest philosophers of all time Tries to combine the two main schools of thought in philosophy: rationalism and empiricism Believed that true knowledge was a combination of senses, experiences and reason At that time, Kant’s beliefs were completely new

Homework Finish AOW Complete Crossword Activity Sheet – due tomorrow!