1. The Age of Enlightenment

2. The Age of Enlightenment
A period of intellectual exchange in Europe during the 18th century
“Progress”
A desire for political and social change

3. The Age of Enlightenment
What made the Enlightenment possible?

4. The Philosophes Intellectuals who discussed ideas
Used reason to explain their world
Believed that Reason could improve society
Believed in tolerance for all religions

5. The Philosophes

6. Voltaire ( )
French intellectual who criticized French society

7. John Locke (1632-1704) Treatises on Government
Essay on Human Understanding
“Tabula Rasa”

8. John Locke ( )

9. Denis Diderot (1713-1784) Published the Encyclopedia in 1772
Attempt to compile information on everything

10. Denis Diderot ( )

11. The Encyclopedia

12. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)
French political philosopher
The Spirit of the Laws

13. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

14. Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) Jewish philosopher in Amsterdam
Belief in religious toleration

15. Baruch Spinoza ( )

16. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
The Social Contract (1762)
The “General Will”

17. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

18. Adam Smith (1723-1790) First modern economist
The Wealth of Nations (1776)
Laissez-Faire

19. Adam Smith ( )

20. The Wealth of Nations

21. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)
Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women
Founder of modern feminism

22. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)

23. The American Revolution
Was the American Revolution just a revolt against British taxation?
How was it based on Enlightenment principles?
In what ways is the Declaration of Independence based on John Locke’s Treatises on Government?

24. Conclusion
The Enlightenment was a period of intellectual exchange in Europe during the 18th century
Several factors contributed to the Enlightenment
Philosophes expressed desire for social and political change