The Enlightenment The Age of Reason

Previously in history…. Renaissance Exploration Scientific Revolution Age of Reason!!!

Why is it so important? The Enlightenment will lead to global changes The American Revolution The French Revolution The Latin Revolution

People will suffer for liberty and personal freedoms America - Valley Forge Slave uprising in Haiti Storming of the Bastille in France

Sapere aude! = Dare to know! What do you think this means? How does this saying relate to the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment When:17th and 18th Century What was the Enlightenment? = THE AGE OF REASON! European thinkers were attempting to solve every social, political, and economic problem using natural law from the Scientific Revolution Enlightenment Cartoon

3. How does the Scientific Revolution impact the Enlightenment? The desire to solve problems and understand questions like “how?” and “why?” from the Sci. Rev. are taken and applied to government and society.

4. Changes to Government What form of government was dominant in Western Europe before the Enlightenment? Predict: How is that going to change after the Enlightenment? Why do you think that? Enlightenment Cartoon

Let’s take a look at the Enlightenment thinkers take on government The most common form of government around the world was a monarchy – this would drastically change

Core beliefs of the Philosophes Add to your note sheet! Reason: Believed truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking Nature: what is natural is also good and reasonable Happiness: rejected the idea that people should find joy in hereafter and seek wellbeing on earth

Progress: stressed that society and humankind could improve Liberty: called for liberties that all people are entitled to

Who: The Major Figures Thomas Hobbes People are cruel, greedy, selfish and need to be controlled Hobbes believed people should live by a social contract agreed upon by all Only a powerful government could ensure order He favored an absolute monarchy

The trade… People handed their rights over to the government in exchange for law and order.

John Locke People were inherently good People were entitled to natural rights such as life, liberty, and property. Purpose of govt. is to protect these rights! Favored self-government and thought the best government in his opinion had limited power. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson really liked Locke’s ideas. Locke Mini Bio

Pick a Side 6. Who do you agree with? Hobbes or Locke? Why? Can you think of an example? Parenting example – good and bad Classroom example – good and bad

So perms are out of style in 2015? Voltaire (French) Philosopher Through the pen, he blasted corrupt officials, economic inequalities, injustice, the slave trade, and religious prejudice He ticked off the Catholic Church and the French government. His books were burned and he was imprisoned, and eventually exiled. “What does it mean to be free?” “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.” -Voltaire

Voltaire Cont. Add to note sheet! Fought for… Tolerance Reason Freedom of speech Freedom of Religion

Take a Stand! 7. Which is more powerful in creating change? The pen or the sword? Defend your position! Talk to a partner! Split into two groups! Discuss!

Rousseau (French) Believed people were good just like Locke He wrote a book entitled The Social Contract Committed to individual freedoms Society placed too many limitations on people’s behavior. Furthermore, only an government elected by people should impose such minimal rules.

“The consent of the people is the sole basis of a government’s authority.” -Rousseau’s Social Contract 1762 What does this mean?

Read Rousseau’s Social Contract What are the basic concepts of Rousseau’s social contract? How can we apply these to our own social contract?

Montesquieu Add to note sheet! French philosopher Separation of powers: Why? Legislative Judicial Executive Checks and balances

Let’s take a look at the economic beliefs – perhaps we can learn something Bad and gone = Mercantilism: government regulation of the economy to balance trade. Good and new = Laissez Faire (Let people do as they please): business should operate with little or no government interference. Free trade was good and tariffs were bad. Free market!

Adam Smith Adam Smith Used natural law to reform the economy He favored Laissez Faire economics He wrote Wealth of the Nations which became the ground work for economies for the next two hundred years.

So do you think Laissez Faire was a good practice? Put young children in factories, pay them little, but the company does very well

Or perhaps this Or you buy people, make them generational slaves, and make a huge profit

Think about this though

Regulations are necessary, but perhaps we have gone too far in 2015?

Pg. 632 Please copy this chart on to the bottom of your guided notes!

So lets sum it up! What effects did Enlightenment philosophers have on government and society?

Self-government The idea that people should be able to choose their form of government. Is that always a good idea?

Government Activity Lets try self-government! While completing this activity, you can do whatever you’d like. EXCEPT break school rules! Do people need to be controlled by a strong government or should they have less structure and be able to self govern?

Compare and Contrast The Scientific Revolution The Enlightenment

So lets think about this… What do the Enlightenment thinkers have in common? What do the Enlightenment thinkers want to do? What ideas are you familiar with? Where or why?