Age of Enlightenment Mr.Lin

Roots of the Enlightenment Growing out of the Scientific Revolution, reason and observation is used. From the Renaissance, emphasis of the individual. Because of the Reformation, rebellion against the Catholic Church. Examining old beliefs about monarchy and Church beliefs.

Thomas Hobbes English philosopher who used reason to rule government. Argued that all human beliefs were naturally cruel and selfish. Government is needed to protect people from their selfish desires.

John Locke Constitutional Monarchy- King is limited by laws or constitution. Government and people have a social contract, or agreement between them. Government has to protect people’s natural rights. Helped influence the Declaration of Independence.

Baron de Montesquieu Argued that government should be divided into three branches. Each branch should be equal in power so he called this separation of powers. Too much power in one person leads to despotism, or tyranny.

Voltaire Beccaria Passionate about freedom of speech. Concerned with religious tolerance, so everybody can practice their own religion. Beccaria Criminology- study of crime and punishment. Went against corrupt ways of punishment like stretching the body on a rack. Capital punishment, death sentence, should be banned.

Impact of the Enlightenment Government Enlightened Rule by Monarchs Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia applied Enlightenment ideas. Made reforms like ending torture. The American and French Revolution Declaration of Rights influenced by Locke’s idea of natural rights U.S. Constitution contains Locke’s idea of natural rights. France adopted a Constitution guaranteeing rights for people.