The Age of Enlightenment The Philosophes: Political Scientists & Their Ideas On Government

The Enlightenment Scientific Revolution encouraged philosophers to reevaluate old beliefs Scientific Revolution encouraged philosophers to reevaluate old beliefs The Enlightenment: an intellectual movement that stressed reason & thought and that people can improve society The Enlightenment: an intellectual movement that stressed reason & thought and that people can improve society Created much change & huge impact on Western civilization Created much change & huge impact on Western civilization The Enlightenment began w/ 2 great political thinkers of 1600s The Enlightenment began w/ 2 great political thinkers of 1600s (Hobbes & Locke)

Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes: Country: England Country: England Believed all humans are naturally born selfish & wicked Believed all humans are naturally born selfish & wicked When society is left to itself it becomes a “giant monster” When society is left to itself it becomes a “giant monster” Without governments to keep order there will be “war…of every man against every man” Without governments to keep order there will be “war…of every man against every man” People hand over rights to a strong ruler who will keep law & order People hand over rights to a strong ruler who will keep law & order Best Government is Absolute Monarchy Best Government is Absolute Monarchy Ruler needs total power to keep citizens under control (b/c people are selfish) Ruler needs total power to keep citizens under control (b/c people are selfish) Social Contract: agreement between the people & their government Social Contract: agreement between the people & their government INFLUENCED Absolute monarchies & dictatorships INFLUENCED Absolute monarchies & dictatorships

John Locke Country: England Country: England Views on Human Nature: Views on Human Nature: “blank slate of the mind”: all people are born free & equal “blank slate of the mind”: all people are born free & equal People learn from experiences & can improve themselves People learn from experiences & can improve themselves People are reasonable & have naturally have the ability to govern their own affairs People are reasonable & have naturally have the ability to govern their own affairs Thought citizens should form their own government (hated absolute monarchy) Thought citizens should form their own government (hated absolute monarchy)

Locke (cont.) Views on Government: Views on Government: All people are born with natural rights: All people are born with natural rights: Life, Liberty,& Property Life, Liberty,& Property People lend their power to the government People lend their power to the government Purpose of Government: To protect these natural rights Purpose of Government: To protect these natural rights If the government does not protect natural rights, citizens have the right to take back their power (overthrow the government) If the government does not protect natural rights, citizens have the right to take back their power (overthrow the government) Influenced: France, England, the American colonies (revolutions)

The Philosophes (French for Philosopher) Mid 1700s- Enlightenment reaches its heights in France Mid 1700s- Enlightenment reaches its heights in France Paris was center meeting place for people to discuss ideas & politics Paris was center meeting place for people to discuss ideas & politics Philosophes=social critics during this period Philosophes=social critics during this period 5 Core Beliefs of Philosophes 5 Core Beliefs of Philosophes Reason: truth can be discovered through logic & reason Reason: truth can be discovered through logic & reason Nature: what was natural was also good & reasonable Nature: what was natural was also good & reasonable Happiness: seek happiness now (don’t wait for heaven) Happiness: seek happiness now (don’t wait for heaven) Progress: society & people can improve Progress: society & people can improve Liberty: called for all people to have the liberties the English had won in their Glorious Rev. & Bill of Rights Liberty: called for all people to have the liberties the English had won in their Glorious Rev. & Bill of Rights

Baron D’ Montesquieu Country: France Country: France Considered the “Founder of Political Science” Considered the “Founder of Political Science” Most important Ideas: Most important Ideas: Views on Government: Views on Government: Separation of Powers: Power must be “checked and balanced” so that no one group/person has too much power Separation of Powers: Power must be “checked and balanced” so that no one group/person has too much power Basis for the U.S. Constitution & 3 branches of government (foundation of our gov’t system) Basis for the U.S. Constitution & 3 branches of government (foundation of our gov’t system) Influenced: American colonies, many gov’t around world Influenced: American colonies, many gov’t around world

Voltaire Country: France Country: France Most influential of all philosophes (used satire to against his opponents) Most influential of all philosophes (used satire to against his opponents) Most Important Ideas: Most Important Ideas: Targeted the clergy, aristocracy, & gov’t Targeted the clergy, aristocracy, & gov’t Thought organized religion spread intolerance Thought organized religion spread intolerance Encouraged Encouraged FREEDOM OF RELIGION*REASON (not superstition) FREEDOM OF RELIGION*REASON (not superstition) FREEDOM OF SPEECH*TOLERANCE FREEDOM OF SPEECH*TOLERANCE INFLUENCED the U.S. Bill of Rights (1 ST AMENDMENT) & future democratic governments INFLUENCED the U.S. Bill of Rights (1 ST AMENDMENT) & future democratic governments

Jean Jacques Rousseau Country: Switzerland Country: Switzerland MAIN IDEAS MAIN IDEAS The only good government is formed freely by the “general will” of the people (direct democracy) The only good government is formed freely by the “general will” of the people (direct democracy) Thought “social contract” was an agreement between free individuals to create a society & government (not Hobbes’ idea of agreement b/w people & government) Thought “social contract” was an agreement between free individuals to create a society & government (not Hobbes’ idea of agreement b/w people & government) Agreed with Locke: the people should decide the best form of government Agreed with Locke: the people should decide the best form of government INFLUENCED: constitutions, Bill of Rights, many gov’ts INFLUENCED: constitutions, Bill of Rights, many gov’ts

Cesare Beccaria Country: Italy Country: Italy Thought laws existed to keep order in society NOT revenge for crimes Thought laws existed to keep order in society NOT revenge for crimes Main Ideas: Main Ideas: Against torture (cruel & unusual punishment) Against torture (cruel & unusual punishment) Fair & speedy trials Fair & speedy trials punishment should fit the crime punishment should fit the crime Capital Punishment (execution) should be abolished Capital Punishment (execution) should be abolished Influenced: criminal law reformers in Europe and North America Influenced: criminal law reformers in Europe and North America

Mary Wollstonecraft

Country: England Country: England Main Ideas: Main Ideas: Women needed education to become virtuous & useful (just like men!) Women needed education to become virtuous & useful (just like men!) They should enter male-dominated careers (like medicine and politics) They should enter male-dominated careers (like medicine and politics) Influences: Women’s rights groups in Europe and North America Influences: Women’s rights groups in Europe and North America

Legacy of the Enlightenment Belief in PROGRESS (people & society can improve) Belief in PROGRESS (people & society can improve) Social equality*more democratic gov’ts Social equality*more democratic gov’ts End slavery*much more End slavery*much more Question religious beliefs & church teachings Question religious beliefs & church teachings Promote tolerance Promote tolerance Reason & logic (not superstition) Reason & logic (not superstition) Importance of the Individual Importance of the Individual Every person has rights Every person has rights Role of gov’t Role of gov’t