Overall… Emergence of a secular world view of the universe Monarchs ruling with Enlightenment ideas in mind Massive popular revolutions in France and AMERICA due to Enlightenment ideas Educational reform Growth of laissez-faire capitalism

Pre-Enlightenment Economy Mercantilism (pre-Enlightenment) GOAL – country becomes economically self-sufficient Every country for itself Government controls all economic functions Government wishes > individual needs

The Physiocrats Francois Quesnay Criticizes Colbert’s mercantilist system in France Wanted to institute freedom of market in agriculture Agricultural production was stifled because the gov’t had too much control over the land Wealth = land

Adam Smith Scottish university professor 1776  The Wealth of Nations was published. A vehement attack of the mercantilist system He was against the belief that trade was a zero-sum game It was a positive-sum game. Both nations gained.

Smith’s Capitalism Law of Competition Producers compete to create the best kind of product for consume Greed – a good thing? The “invisible hand” guides market to produce right amount & variety of goods Supply and demand

Smith’s Capitalism Government should interfere minimally with the free and efficient workings of the market Laissez faire [“Leave things alone.”] No government monopolies Few, if any, government regulations

MERCANTILISM GOV’T > INDIVIDUAL CAPITALISM INDIVIDUAL > GOV’T THE BIG PICTURE MERCANTILISM GOV’T > INDIVIDUAL CAPITALISM INDIVIDUAL > GOV’T

Enlightenment Impact on Women

Salons Hosted by women Madame de Geoffren

More Rights for Women? SOME philosophes favored increased political rights and education for women Mary Wollstonecraft A major voice for women’s rights in England Women are not NATURALLY inferior…they look inferior cause they’ve been denied for so long

Enlightenment Impact on Religion Deism

Deism The Religious Arm of the Enlightenment God was a cosmic clockmaker – created the Universe and then stepped back to let it work Universe is governed by natural law Supernatural NOT involved in human life

Methodism FOUNDED BY JOHN WESLEY Reemphasized an emotional relationship with God…spiritual conversion was a marker of faith Emphasized living by sound moral principles Grew out of the German Pietism movement, which rebelled against a rational relationship with God