Chapter 5 Section 1 Philosophy and the Age of Reason Mr. Bellisario Woodridge High School First Period World History August 27 & 28, 2013

Life Before the Enlightenment Absolute monarchy/divine right – King and/or queen are given the right to rule by GOD (they were born to royalty) and therefore they have all the power!

Life Before the Enlightenment Church-centered – Religious warfare Ex. Crusades, the liberation of the Holy Land by European against Muslims. – Church and state were linked, the Pope had tremendous power over the different European kings and/or queens

Survival Most Europeans’ daily lives were consumed with survival – Ex. The Plague Ex. The Plague

ENLIGHTENMENT Way of thinking which brought about change, especially political change…people began to think for themselves

Scientific process promoted trust in human reason Joseph Priestly & Antoine Lavoisier – modern chemistry Edward Jenner – vaccine against small pox

Natural Laws Laws which govern human nature Used to study human behavior

Enlightenment Overview Enlightenment – revolution in thinking; through use of reason, people & government could solve every problem – Social – between people – Political – government – Economic – business & industry

Social Contract Agreement where people give up their natural state for an organized society.

Thomas Hobbes (1600’s) Wrote, Leviathan Concept of social contract in which people give up their rights for an organized society Believed an absolute monarch kept people orderly Believed absolute monarch kept people from being cruel, greedy & selfish

John Locke (1600’s) Wrote, Two Treatises of Government People had natural rights – life, liberty & property Government should protect those rights but had limited power People have right to overthrow any government that doesn’t protect those rights > revolution

Montesquieu Wrote, The Spirit of the Laws in 1748 Felt separation of powers was the best way to protect liberty Separated branches of government – Executive – carries out laws – Legislative – passes laws – Judicial – interprets laws

Philosophes Thinkers who used reason to bring about change/reform in government, law and society. They called for a just society based on reason.

Dennis Diderot Wrote, The Encyclopedia Explained new ideas on government, philosophy & religion Spoke out against slavery Encouraged freedom of speech & education to everyone, not just the wealthy Goal was to change thinking Pope threatened to excommunicate

Voltaire Defended freedom of speech & thought Spoke out against corrupt government officials & rich people who didn’t work for their money Wrote against inequality (slave trade), injustice, superstition and prejudices Was imprisoned & forced into exile

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Wrote, The Social Contract in 1762 People were naturally good, but corrupted b/c of unequal wealth Government control over people should be limited & government should be elected by people Community, as a whole, should be above individual / “general will” Most controversial

Women and the Enlightenment Enlightenment slogan: “free and equal” did not apply to women. When women argued for rights, they were teased. Women’s rights were limited to the home & within the family.

Mary Wollstonecraft Wrote, A Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1762 Wanted equal rights for boys and girls Believed once women are educated should be allowed to participate in government

Laissez faire Definition - Allows businesses to operate without government interference Government should not be involved with economy & wealth comes from land being more productive Supported free trade, opposed to tariffs (taxes on trade)

Adam Smith Wrote, A Wealth of Nations Believed free market regulates business activity Supply and demand (where there’s a demand for goods, suppliers will meet it because of economic rewards Felt government duties were: – Protect society – Administer justice – Provide public works