The Age of Enlightenment

Can you make reason out of this video? I can’t!! ofNR_WkoCEhttp:// ofNR_WkoCE

Europe in 1700

The Enlightenment philosophers Rejection of Old Regime of Europe

The Enlightenment Enlightenment =Awakening of Europe 1600—1750. Challenged people to question their existence. France and England were the only two countries that were not ruled by enlightened rulers in the1700’s.

Frederick II of Prussia Created state sponsored education A poet, musician and composer. Encouraged studies at universities.

Joseph II of Austria Created a state educational system and encouraged industry. Abolished serfdom (peasantry). Promoted religious tolerance and justice for all.

Catherine the Great of Russia She was intelligent, wrote plays, edited journals. She saw public relations as very important. She codified (wrote down) laws.

The philosophers provided these despots ideas to work with to try and make their countries the greatest in Europe. All were educated and got their ideas from antiquity (ancient Greek culture).

Rene Descartes (1595—1650) Descartes believed that the world was created by God, but nature takes it course. (Realism)

John Locke (1632— 1704) Locke believed that people are NOT born with ideas, but they survive only through the basic intuition to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Thomas Hobbes (1588—1679) Leviathon. He talks about man-kind having a social contract with government in which they cede their rights for protection by government.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642—1727) Newton believed in pure science, particularly the laws of motion and optics.

Voltaire (1694—1778) “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” “Liberty, Equality, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712— 1778) “Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains.”

Denis Diderot (1713— 1784)

Failure of the Enlightenment Enlightened European monarchs used “reason” only when it suited their own aims. In France, the King was still absolute and he failed to adopt enlightened reforms. “Absolute power corrupts, absolutely.”

Versailles

King Louis XIV (1638—1715) Louis XIV was an absolute ruler. “Le roi, soleil” He was wary of his ministers so he had them all housed at his royal palace in Versailles. It cost the country millions!

King Louis XV (1715— 1774) Louis XV became king at age 5 when his grandfather died. (His father had died before him.) He was married at age 15 and was involved in many “affairs.”

King Louis XV (1715— 1774) Seven Years War (1757—1763). The country was driven into severe debt. Unfortunately, Louis showed no signs to stop his exuberant spending.

King Louis XV livres often were spent a day to entertain him. He kept 3000 horses servants watched over him. 30 physicians attended to his health.

King Louis XV Louis XV spent 68 million livres, ¼ of the government revenue, was spent on himself. People suffered poverty and crushing taxes. When confronted with the facts that France was heading towards bankruptcy by his ministers, he replied: “Things as they are will last through my time (Apres moi, le deluge.)”

Louis XVI (1754—1793)