1. THE ENLIGHTENMENT ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Was there a connection between the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment?
Did the philosophes present a challenge to European political ideology?
What economic ideas began to emerge during this time?

2. SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
Scientific successes convinced educated Europeans of the power of HUMAN REASON
If reason worked for the physical world, then why not use it for NATURAL LAWS
Laws explaining human behavior
Solve the problems of society

3. SOCIAL CONTRACT HOBBES Wrote Leviathan
People were naturally cruel, greedy, selfish
Needed to be strictly controlled
Social Contract- people gave up state of nature for organized society.
Importance of a powerful government

4. SOCIAL CONTRACT LOCKE Wrote TWO TREATISES OF GOVERNMENT
People were basically reasonable and moral
Natural Rights- right to life, liberty and property
Government to protect natural rights

5. More Locke Believed in Checks and Balances Profited from slavery
Neither the poor nor women shared in Locke’s democratic rights

6. SEPARATION OF POWERS MONTESQUIEU Wrote THE SPIRIT OF THE LAWS
Liked Britain’s limited monarchy
Promoted the belief in the value of separation of powers

7. VOLTAIRE
Sought to promote reform society by attacking corrupt officials
Saw nature as the work of God and that man was the product of nature
Sought to set man free from orthodox Christian views
Use reason to find moral virtue

8. MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT Wrote “Vindication of the Rights of Woman”
Feminist declaration of independence
Applied liberal doctrine of inalienable human rights and applied to women
She was attacked for her views

9. ROUSSEAU
People had natural innocence that was corrupted by evils of society
Believed in limited governmental control
Good of the community above individual interests
Individual subordinate to the community

10. MORE ROUSSEAU
Wrote “Social Contract” - argued for the extension of democracy to all, direct democracy. Inspiration for leaders of French Revolution
Praised the NOBLE SAVAGE - primitive man is not spoiled by terrible things like education and society

11. DIDEROT
Wrote “Encyclopedia” - sought to change general way of thinking
Denounced slavery, attacked divine right, attacked traditional religions
French government tried to ban
Helped spread ideas of the Enlightenment

12. ECONOMICS
Adam Smith - wrote “The Wealth of Nations - free market to regulate business
Believed in supply and demand
Believed in laissez faire- business with little government interference

13. ECONOMICS Smith- free economic rein would aid the welfare of all
Bourgeoisie supported, justified that greed was good

14. ESSENTIAL IDEAS Man is not innately depraved
The aim of life is life itself, not the after-life
The essential condition for the good life on earth is freeing men’s minds from ignorance and superstition

15. ESSENTIAL IDEAS
Man, free of ignorance and of the arbitrary powers of the state, is capable of progress and perfection
Everything is inter-connected, and forms part of the grand scheme of a benevolent Providence