1. THE ENLIGHTENMENT
The Age of Reason

2. “I think, therefore I am”
- Descartes

3. What is the Enlightenment?
An 18th Century European movement in which thinkers attempted to apply principles of reason and scientific method to all aspect of society.
The Enlightenment was the beginning of many new ideas, including the principles of freedom, democracy, capitalism, scientific method, and religious tolerance

4. Religion Two main religions in England were Protestant and Catholic
Many new religions formed within the two main religions fueled by new religious tolerance
People began to question religious ideas as a result of a new logical way of thinking

5. Enlightenment Government
Before the Enlightenment, only Divine Right Monarchies told people they were selected by God
Enlightenment thinkers believed that humans could answer questions for themselves
Common man became “Enlightened” and argued against the oppressive rule of a king
Tensions began to end noble privileges, limit king’s power, start the Checks and Balances system, and call for freedoms of speech and of religion

6. The Enlightenment thinkers crushed the idea of “Absolute Monarchy”
King Louis XIV
The Enlightenment thinkers crushed the idea of “Absolute Monarchy”

7. Enlightenment Education
Realistic thinking was preferred over Romanticism
The Scientific Method was used and guided by new ideas of natural laws
Education became more important, especially for young upper-class Englishmen
They would move to France to complete their education at the best universities

8. Education for Children
Parents thought education for younger children was more important
Parents were interested in more interactions with their young children and use of nannies declined
Educational toys and books for children became popular

9. “Childhood should be a stage for learning and growth”
-History World International

10. Enlightenment Economics
Steady growth of colonial trade and manufacturing
Rapid spread of household production of textile and metal products
New technical innovations such as faster loom to improve efficiency
Economy began to move towards the Industrial Revolution

11. “All things have sprung from nothing and are borne forward to infinity”
-Blaise Pascal, founder of modern probability theory and leading Enlightenment thinker