The Enlightenment

The enlightenment was a cultural movement with its center in France in 18th century

The Enlightenment thinkers were named "philosophers" They defended the following ideas...

The Enlightenment: Main ideas Trust in reason Reason is the best way to understand the world, solve its problems and improve people's lives. Reason "enlightens" the world against ignorance and superstition. That's why we call this period The Enlightenment or The Age of Reason.

The Enlightenment main ideas Faith in human progress As the improvements in life conditions due to science

The Enlightenment main ideas The Right to Happiness

The Enlightenment vs Ancien Règime Enlightenment thinkers criticized the Ancien Règime because they were sure that it blocked human progress and the pursuit of happiness.

Enlightenment thinkers criticized... Absolutism Mercantilism Estate-based society Religious intolerance and education

Enlightenment thinkers wanted... A society based on the worth and effort of every person Religious tolerance Moral rules based on reason So they promoted... State schools to fight against ignorance and the Church's influence on education Scientific and cultural development

The spread of The Enlightenment Debating societies in private houses and coffeehouses Academies Books and scientific and literary journals The Encyclopédie

The Encyclopèdie It was an encyclopedia which contained all the knowledge of its time It was published in France between 1751 and 1772 Its editors were Denis Diderot and Jean D'Alambert It included contributions from many famous authors.

The Encyclopèdie It also contains the ideas of The Enlightenment about freedom and equality. Diderot said that the Encyclopèdie's aim was "to change the way people think"

Enlightened absolutism Absolutism + Enlightenment ideas The monarchs ruled with the intent of improving the lives of their subjects. Implicit was that the sovereign knew the interests of his subjects better than they themselves All for the people, without the people.

Enlightened absolutism In several countries, leaders of the Enlightenment were welcomed at Court and helped design laws and programs to reform the system. Frederick the Great of Prussia Catherine II of Russia Charles III of Spain Joseph II of Austria Louis XV of France Joseph I of Portugal

Enlightened absolutism Centralization of administration Modernization of economy Weakening of the Church Fostering arts, science and education

Critics to absolutism Some Enlightenment thinkers accepted Enlightened Absolutism, but others criticized it because they admired the English parliamentary system in which the power of the king was limited by a parliament.

Critics to absolutism Voltaire He admired the English system He was in favor of a limited monarchy which respected the rights of citizens.

Critics to Absolutism Monstesquieu He was in favor of the separation of powers between the monarch (executive), Parliament (legislative) and courts of law (judicial)

Critics to Absolutism Rousseau He said the the power of the State resides in people. People delegate their power to rulers. Their actions as rulers must be lead by the common will of the citizens and they must make laws that are good and equal for everyone.