The Age of Enlightenment

What does it mean to be “enlightened”? To gain knowledge and wisdom: to be freed from prejudice, ignorance, or superstition

They applied reason to the “human world” not just the natural world! What is “reason”? To think logically 17th and 18th centuries They applied reason to the “human world” not just the natural world! The Human world includes government and law Natural World: Scientists applied reason to it using the scientific method

The Scientific Revolution In 1632, Galileo Galilei used logic, reinforced with observation, to argue for Copernicus’ idea that the earth rotates on its axis around the sun.

Church Opposition The Church objected that the Bible clearly stated that the sun moved through the sky and denounced Galileo's teachings, forcing him to recant what he had written and preventing him from teaching further.

Skepticism René Descartes, in the 17th century, attempted to use reason to shore up his faith. "I think, therefore I am."

William Blake’s Newton, 1795

Pages from Diderot’s Encyclopedie

A Leviathan is a huge “sea monster”

Absolutism: to manage behavior The Leviathan, or sea monster, represents the all powerful government Hobbes believed exist to avoid chaos Hobbes absolute ruler

John Locke Who wrote the Two Treatises of Government? The mystery author!

What did Locke argue was the best form of Government? B. Why? Democracy Locke believed in democracy because he argued the people were SOVEREIGN--the people have ultimate power

Life, liberty, and property What three rights did Locke say the Government MUST protect? Life, liberty, and property

What affects did John Locke have on the United States? “among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” He influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Who wrote The Spirit of Laws? Who is this author?

Montesquieu was from France Baron de Montesquieu Montesquieu was from France

What idea about the structure of government did Montesquieu express in Spirit?

“separation of powers” --3 branches of government What idea about the structure of government did Montesquieu express in Spirit? “separation of powers” --3 branches of government

Why did Montesquieu advocate “separation of powers”? In order to avoid one person gaining all the power (NO ABSOLUTISM!) If Montesqueiu is AGAINST absolutism, then which thinker does he disagree with?

Montesquieu influenced the U.S. Constitution What affect did Montesquieu have on the United States ? Montesquieu influenced the U.S. Constitution The Constitution sets up three branches of Government, just as Montesquieu recommended.

What was Voltaire’s famous for saying?

“I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it”

Freedom of speech and religion What does this quote defend? What was Voltaire’s opinion on the relationship between religion and the government? Freedom of speech and religion

There should be “separation of church and state”

Who wrote the Social Contract? Jean-Jacques Rousseau

What does Rousseau say about “The Social (or society’s) Contract?” It is a contract between the people and their rulers

What does Rousseau say should happen if this contract is broken by the rulers? The people should rebel! Liberty leading the People by Delacroix The Storming of Bastille

1. Thomas Hobbes 2. John Locke 3. Baron de Montesquieu 4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau 5. Voltaire

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Which Enlightenment thinker influenced it the most?

Thomas Jefferson John Locke

What were the effects of the Enlightenment? (Use the acronym)

“I know the answer, I know the answer” The Enlightenment had some F.A.S.T. thinkers! “I know the answer, I know the answer”

F. Which Enlightenment effect does the “F” in F.A.S.T. stand for? Fueled democratic revolutions around world (American, French) Bastille: The French Revolution Begins July 14, 1789! Signing of the Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776

Applied reason to the human world (government, law)

S. Stimulated religious tolerance “It would be reasonable if we all just got along, wouldn’t it? Billy Graham,Protestant, and Pope John Paul II

T. Taught that our rights come from natural law NOT the government Natural rights

Name two famous Enlightenment composers of music. Johann Sebastian Bach Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart

What famous Enlightenment painting is this?

Liberty Leading the People Eugene Delacroix

Frederick the Great of Prussia (r. 1740-1786) 1712 -– 1786. Succeeded his father, Frederick William I (the “Soldier King”). He saw himself as the “First Servant of the State.”

Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796) German Princess 1729 -– 1796.

Joseph II of Austria (r. 1765-1790) 1741 -– 1790. His mother was Maria Theresa.