1. The Enlightenment

2. Age of Enlightenment
- aka (also known as)
Age of Reason
Enlightenment = rationality
ethics
knowledge
reform

3. The Enlightenment Inspired by Scientific Revolution
Occurred in the 18th century
Human beings can comprehend the operation of physical nature and mold it to achieve material and moral improvement, economic growth, and administrative reform
Leads to reform > socially, economically, religiously, & politically
Advocated religious toleration
Time of creativity
Spirit of innovation
Nothing beyond the reach of the human mind
Can solve anything through reason

4. Immanuel Kant First to use “Enlightenment”
Natural law can explain aspects of humanity
Natural Law
Rules of nature discovered by reason
Example > Gravity (Newton)

5. Thomas Hobbes Wrote Leviathan Believed in a powerful govt.
Social Contract = People must give up some of their rights to a strong ruler
People are cruel, greedy, and selfish
Believed in a powerful govt.
Absolute Monarchy
Impose order and stability

6. John Locke People are born free & equal Best govt.
Natural Rights (life, liberty, & property
Govt. must protect these rights
Best govt.
Limited power
Accepted by all citizens
Govt. oppressive then people can overthrow it
Advocates religious toleration

7. Baron de Montesquieu The Spirit of the Laws
Believed in the separation of power in govt.
Should have checks and balances
The Spirit of the Laws
Inspires Framers of the Constitution

8. Jacques Rousseau The Social Contract
People are born free but society corrupts them
The Social Contract
Limited govt.
Freely elected
Stressed the good of the community

9. Voltaire Battled inequality, injustice, corruption, and superstition
Freedom of speech
Religious toleration

10. Denis Diderot Produced the Encyclopedia Spreads Enlightenment ideas
Compilation of articles with various new ideas
Topics associated with
Govt.
Philosophy
Religion
Spreads Enlightenment ideas

11. Mary Wollstonecraft Argued women were being excluded in society
Right to their own destiny
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Equal education for boys and girls

12. Adam Smith Laissez faire Wealth of Nations Free market
Limited govt. involvement in economy
Laissez faire
Business to operate with little or no govt. involvement

13. Frederick II Ruler of Prussia Reduced torture
Allowed freedom of the press
Reorganizes govt.
Simplified the laws
Religious toleration

14. Catherine the Great Ruler of Russia Believed in equality and liberty
Abolished torture
Established religious tolerance

15. Joseph II Ruler of Austria Most radical of despots
Supported religious equality
Ended censorship by giving free press
Supports education & healthcare for the sick
Abolished serfdom