1. The Enlightenment The Age of Reason

2. The Age of Enlightenment 1700s-1800s Began in France The Enlightenment- a philosophical movement (truth-seeking) ; a time when people began to question politics and ideas Advocated Reason and Logic to solve social problems Philosophes= the philosophical, political, and social writers of the 18th- century French Enlightenment Enlightenment philosophes questioned traditional authority and embraced the idea that humanity could be improved through rational change The Enlightenment produced numerous books, essays, inventions, scientific discoveries, laws, wars and revolutions – The American and French Revolutions were directly inspired by Enlightenment ideals

3. What does it mean to be “enlightened”? To gain knowledge and wisdom: to be freed from prejudice, ignorance, or superstition

4. Scientific Revolution   Enlightenment 1500-1700: European scientists using reason to discover laws of nature Early 1700’s: If people used reason to find laws that governed the physical world, why not use reason to discover natural laws? –Laws that govern human nature –Reformers begin studying human nature and societal problems

5. The Scientific Revolution The Enlightenment was heavily influenced by the Scientific Revolution in Europe during the 1600s Scientific Revolution: the time period where scientists in Europe began to observe, hypothesize, and experiment to reach conclusions about the natural world Challenged religious beliefs and the Catholic Church’s authority on all things relating to the natural world: Developed the Scientific Method

6. Enlightenment thinkers applied reason to the “human world” not just the natural world! Natural World Scientists applied reason to it using the scientific method The Human World includes government and law

8. Major Enlightenment Ideas Every social, political and economic problem could be solved through the use of reason Governments are created to secure an orderly society Separation of powers is the best way to protect human liberties All men are created “free and equal” Challenged absolute rulers and divine right A free market should be allowed to regulate trade

9. Major Enlightenment Ideas for Society Hated the slave trade and slavery Disapprove of religious prejudice Defended freedom of speech Attacked divine right theory Urged education for all Hated unequal distribution of property Believed governments should be freely elected Women’s first duty was to her family

10. ENLIGHTENMENT THINKERS “Philosophes” 1.Thomas Hobbes (1588 – 1679) 2.John Locke (1632 – 1704) 3.Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778) 4.Baron de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755) 5.Voltaire (1694 – 1778) 6.Denis Diderot (1713 – 1784) 7.Mary Wollstonecraft (1759 – 1797) 8.Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) 9.Fredrick the Great (Fredrick II of Prussia) (1712-1786) 10.Catherine the Great (1729-1796)

11. Enlightenment Changes Society Women: Women were not equal and were criticized for attempting to gain equality Salons: Men and women gather in living rooms to discuss Enlightenment ideas Music: Ballets and operas become popular (Bach, Mozart) Art: Baroque gives way to rococo art (simple, elegant and charming) Literature: Novels become popular (Robinson Crusoe)

14. Enlightenment Changes Society Majority/Lower Class (Peasants): Slow to change and hurt the worst –Serfdom disappears in the west, rises in the east –Peasants in Western Europe allowed to own or rent land –All peasants throughout Europe dealt with similar issues Forced into military Lands could be torn up without compensation by nobility Some peasants become eager for change, some resisted change completely

15. THOMAS HOBBES Believed all humans were naturally selfish and wicked –They will fight, rob, and oppress one another To escape this people enter into a social contract –They would give up their freedom in return for the safety and order of an organized society –Government necessary to keep order Hobbes believed that a powerful government like an absolute monarchy was best for society – it would impose order and compel obedience It would also be able to suppress rebellion

16. Hobbes His most famous work was called Leviathan (1651) Hobbes has been used to justify absolute power in government His view of human nature was negative, or pessimistic He believed life without laws and controls would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”

17. The Leviathan, or sea monster, represents the all powerful government Hobbes believed exists to avoid chaos.

18. Hobbes - Quotes A man's conscience and his judgment is the same thing; and as the judgment, so also the conscience, may be erroneous. Curiosity is the lust of the mind. In the state of nature profit is the measure of right. Not believing in force is the same as not believing in gravitation. Leisure is the Mother of Philosophy.

19. JOHN LOCKE Believed people learn from experience –At birth, the mind is a blank tablet (tabula rasa) Believed in natural laws and natural rights– they come from God People are born free and equal 3 Natural Rights: Life, Liberty and Property People can govern themselves successfully

20. Locke Most famous works are the Two Treatises on Government –Explains the overthrow of James II Rulers / governments have an obligation, a responsibility, to protect the natural rights of the people it governs If a government fails in its obligation to protect natural rights, the people have the right to overthrow that government The best government is one which is accepted by all of the people and which has limited power –Locke liked the English monarchy where laws limited the power of the king Locks beliefs are the foundation of modern democracy

21. Locke Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 based on the ideas of Locke Locke justified revolution in the eyes of the Founding Fathers Locke also influenced later revolutions in France (1789) and in many other places in the world in the 19 th Century

22. Locke - Quotes No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience. All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions. I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.

23. Social Contract Thomas HobbesJohn Locke Humans are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish. To escape this “brutish” life people entered into a social contract. Only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society. Believed only an absolute monarchy could keep a society completely orderly. Humans are naturally reasonable, moral and good Humans have natural rights: life liberty and property People form governments to protect natural rights Best government was one with limited power If a government violates people’s natural rights, people have the right to overthrow government

24. JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU A Swiss man who believed in individual freedom Wrote many essays People are basically good but become corrupted by society –Like the absolute monarchy in France For Rousseau, the social contract was the path to freedom: people should do what is best for their community –Agreement among free individuals The general will (of the people) should direct the state toward the common good –The good of the community is more important than individual interests Man is forced to obey unjust laws

26. Rousseau His most famous work was The Social Contract (1762) JJR questioned authority - absolute monarchy and religion JJR was passionate, he hated political and economic oppression Influenced later revolutionaries, both middle class and socialist

27. Rousseau - Quotes Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers. Free people, remember this maxim: we may acquire liberty, but it is never recovered if it is once lost. Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but which none have a right to expect. It is unnatural for a majority to rule, for a majority can seldom be organized and united for specific action, and a minority can.

28. MONTESQUIEU Writer, aristocrat, & lawyer Believed Rome fell due to loss of political liberties He strongly criticized absolute monarchy and was a voice for democracy Promoted Separation of Powers – the best way to protect liberty was to divide the powers of government into three branches: legislative; executive; and judicial Promoted Checks and Balances –each branch of government should check (limit) the power of the other two branches. –power would be balanced (even) and no one branch would be too powerful

29. Montesquieu Montesquieu studied the history of governments and cultures all over the world His first book, The Persian Letters, ridiculed the absolute monarchy and social classes in France He also wrote The Spirit of the Laws (1784) His ideas on the ‘separation of powers’ and ‘checks and balances’ are the basis for the US Constitution –These ideas are at the core of American government to this day

30. Montesquieu – Quotes The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver. Useless laws weaken the necessary laws. The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions. To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight. I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve.

31. VOLTAIRE Advocated freedom of thought, speech, politics, and religion Fought against intolerance, injustice, inequality, ignorance, and superstition Attacked idle aristocrats, corrupt government officials, religious prejudice, and the slave trade –Disliked clergy, aristocrats, & gov’t Admired English government Famous saying: “Ecrasez Linfam” (ay-crah-ZAY lah-FAM) - crush the evil thing –Meaning do away with the government

32. Voltaire Published over 70 books Wrote the famous novel Candide Voltaire often used a razor sharp humor and cutting sarcasm in his writings to make his point –He often had to express his views indirectly through fictional characters because he lived in an absolute monarchy in France Voltaire’s books were outlawed, even burned, by the authorities Imprisoned twice and exiled to England –Imprisoned in the Bastille in Paris and exiled because of his attacks on the French government and the Catholic Church

33. Voltaire - Quotes My trade is to say what I think. I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it. As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities. Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. He who thinks himself wise, O heavens, is a great fool.

34. DENIS DIDEROT Creator of the Encyclopedia (1751-1772) –Worked 25 years to produce 28 volumes –Was not just a collection of articles on human knowledge, it was intended to change the way people thought –Montesquieu, Voltaire, and others wrote articles About 20,000 copies were printed between 1751 and 1789 despite efforts to ban the Encyclopedia

35. Diderot Articles in the Encyclopedia supported freedom of expression and education for all people The divine-right theory (of monarchy) was criticized along with traditional religions The French king said the Encyclopedia was an attack on public morals The pope threatened to excommunicate Catholics who bought or read the Encyclopedia

36. Diderot - Quotes There is only one passion, the passion for happiness. Every man has his dignity. I'm willing to forget mine, but at my own discretion and not when someone else tells me to. We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step. When science, art, literature, and philosophy are simply the manifestation of personality they are on a level where glorious and dazzling achievements are possible, which can make a man's name live for thousands of years. If you want me to believe in God, you must make me touch him. Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.

37. MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT British feminist Wanted women to have equal rights She argued that women had not been included in the Enlightenment slogan “free and equal” –Women had been excluded from the social contract Her arguments were often met with scorn, even from some ‘enlightened’ men

38. Mary Wollstonecraft She wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792) Wollstonecraft believed in equal education for girls and boys –Only education could give women the knowledge to participate equally with men in public life She also argue that a woman’s first duty was to be a good mother –But a woman could also decide on her own what was in her interest without depending on her husband

39. Mary Wollstonecraft - Quotes If women be educated for dependence; that is, to act according to the will of another fallible being, and submit, right or wrong, to power, where are we to stop? The divine right of husbands, like the divine right of kings, may, it is hoped, in this enlightened age, be contested without danger. Let not men then in the pride of power, use the same arguments that tyrannic kings and venal ministers have used, and fallaciously assert that women ought to be subjected because she has always been so. Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience. Virtue can only flourish among equals.

40. ADAM SMITH Smith was a Scottish economist who has been called the “father of capitalism” He was an advocate of laissez faire –French for ‘let do,’ ‘let go,’ ‘let pass’ Laissez faire was a theory of the ‘natural’ laws of economics –business should operate with little or no government interference

41. Adam Smith He wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776) Smith argued the free market of supply and demand should drive economies –The hidden hand of competition was the only regulation an economy needed Wherever there was demand for goods or services, suppliers would compete with each other to meet that demand in order to make profit Smith did believe that government had a duty to protect society and to provide justice and public works

42. Enlightenment and the Economy Physiocrats rejected mercantilism in favor of a policy called laissez faire –Physiocrats were Enlightenment thinkers who focused on economic reforms Laissez-Faire: allowing business to operate with little or no government interference –Real wealth comes from productive land not gold and silver –Supported free trade and opposed tariffs –Manufacturing, trade, wages, profits and economic growth are all linked to the market forces of supply and demand –Where there is demand, suppliers will seek to meet it because there are profits and economic rewards to be had His ideas led to very productive economies during the Industrial Revolution (1800’s and 1900’s)

43. Adam Smith - Quotes The rich... divide with the poor the produce of all their improvements. They are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life which would have been made, had the earth been divided into equal proportions among all its inhabitants. It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. The propensity to truck, barter and exchange one thing for another is common to all men, and to be found in no other race of animals. No dog exchanges bones with another.

45. Enlightened Despots Enlightened despotism= a form of absolute monarchy in which rulers were influenced by the Enlightenment Frederick the Great of Prussia Catherine the Great of Russia

47. Enlightened Despots Some absolute monarchs embraced the principles of the Enlightenment, especially its emphasis upon rationality, and applied them to their territories They tended to follow: –Religious freedom –Freedom of speech and press –The right to hold private property Most fostered the arts, sciences, and education

48. Fredrick II of Prussia King of Prussia 1740-1786 Enlightened despot Known as Fredrick the Great Described as “first servant of the state ”

49. Fredrick the Great Abolished torture Reduced censorship Improved education Granted religious freedom Did NOT end serfdom –Decreased nobility's influence –Peasants still burdened with heavy taxes

50. Catherine the Great Russian czarina 1762-1796 –Widow of Peter III Enlightened despot –Ideas of the Enlightenment convinced her that Russia was backwards Exchanged letters with Voltaire Used the ideas of Montesquieu Westernized Russia –Paid Diderot to publish his Encyclopedia in Russia when it was banned in France

51. Catherine the Great Attempted equality, but did NOT end serfdom Expanded territories by taking part of Poland Limited religious toleration Created hospitals and orphanages Slight restriction on the use of torture by the government Formed Legislative Commission (1767) –500 delegates from all walks of life –Goal was to suggest reforms guided by Enlightenment ideas –Result= nothing, but Catherine for a good feel for her country’s problems Kept close ties to philosophes so they would write about her favorably