The Enlightenment 6-2

Absolute Monarchies King/Queen King/Queen All Power: the King or Queen wished it or commanded it and it was done All Power: the King or Queen wished it or commanded it and it was done Few Freedoms Few Freedoms Belief that people needed to be ruled Belief that people needed to be ruled

Philosophes The French word for philosophers The French word for philosophers 5 concepts formed the core of their belief 5 concepts formed the core of their belief 1. Reason: truth could be discovered through logic 2. Nature: natural was good and reasonable 3. Happiness: people should seek well-being on earth 4. Progress: society & humankind could improve 5. Liberty: all people should have the rights won in the Glorious Revolution in England

Thomas Hobbes Wrote a book: Leviathon 1651 Humans selfish and wicked! Without laws there would be war… every man vs. every man “Life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” SOCIAL CONTRACT People give up rights to a strong ruler Ruler provides safety and security He believed the best government was absolute monarchy

John Locke Humans naturally good and can rule themselves Natural Rights Life Liberty Property Government –protect these rights If not- OVERTHROW

Voltaire 70 books Criticized upper class and government Fought for freedom of Religion and Speech Jailed twice, & exiled to England for 2 years

Montesquieu He saw Great Britain as the best government of his time Branches of Government Separation of Powers Checks on the power of each branch of government Became the basis for the US Constitution

Rousseau Civilization corrupted people “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains” The strong forced everyone to obey unjust laws The best government was formed by the will of the people… direct democracy

Beccaria Wrote about the mistreatment of prisoners and the abuses of the justice system He believed many of the punishments were arbitrary The punishment should fit the severity of the crime Wanted to get rid of torture Heavily influenced the justice systems in Europe and North America

Mary Wollstonecraft A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Women need education Participate in politics Daughter was Mary Shelley - Frankenstein

Enlightenment Changing Society Belief in Progress Belief in Progress A More Secular (Worldly) Outlook A More Secular (Worldly) Outlook Importance of the Individual Importance of the Individual