1. The Enlightenment

2. Do Now
In what ways are the periods of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution similar to the Enlightenment?

3. The Age of Reason What is the Enlightenment?
What caused the Enlightenment?

4. Information about the Enlightenment
Began in 1650 and lasted until 1800
Began with “philosophers” rethinking the way government, religion, and economics worked in their European countries
These philosophers believed that new truths could be discovered using logic and reasoning
Philosophers thought everything by observing universal truths known as natural laws

5. Why did the Enlightenment Begin?
During the Renaissance, people began questioning medieval ideas. The Renaissance was a time period that emphasized individual potential, also known as humanism.
Age of Exploration: European countries discovered new lands and trade routes
Protestant Reformation: People began questioning Church teachings and began exploring new ideas
Age of Absolutism: People in Europe were frustrated with their monarchs, expensive wars, lavish lifestyles of their monarchs, and their little regard for the rest of their people

6. Enlightenment Ideas
The most important Enlightenment ideas are those that were challenged by absolute monarchs and also presented new ideas about government

7. English Thinkers

8. Thomas Hobbes Hobbes’ theories:
Argued that people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish.
People must be strictly controlled
Social contract- an agreement by which they gave up their freedom for an organized society
Believed in a powerful government  orderly society
Believed in the need and use of an absolute monarch
Wrote Leviathan

9. John Locke Locke’s theories People are reasonable and moral
People should have natural rights- rights that belonged to all humans from birth. Life, liberty, and property
People form government to protect their natural rights
Best type of government: limited power and accepted by all citizens.
Lock believed in the right of revolution
Rejected absolute monarchs
Wrote Natural Rights and Two Treaties on Government

10. John Locke
He was influenced by the Glorious Revolution when the Bill of Rights was created and used to protect the citizens’ rights
He supported limited or constitutional monarchies
He believed that the government power came from the consent of the governed

11. Writing Response: Who do you agree with, Thomas Hobbes or John Locke?
People are naturally selfish and act out of self-interest
Without government control, society would be chaotic
People are like children and need a strong government to keep them in order
John Locke
People are reasonable and able to make decisions
Freedom & liberty are more important than order and safety
People should be able to overthrow kings who abuse their power

12. Baron de Montesquieu Montesquieu’s theories: Limited monarchy
Divided government into separate powers: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
Montesquieu thought that each branch should check the other
Wrote The Spirit of Laws

14. French Thinkers
Paris is considered the home of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution
Philosophes- applied scientific methods to better understand and improve society- lovers of wisdom

15. Voltaire Voltaire’s theories: Targeted corrupt officials
Wrote about inequality, injustice, and religious prejudice
Through his ideas, he offended the Catholic Church
Argued for the rights of freedom of speech and religion
Voltaire was imprisoned
Books were burned
Advocated Enlightened Despotism
Against slave trade and deplored religious prejudice
Wrote Candide

16. Denis Diderot Diderot’s theories: Produced a 28 volume encyclopedia
Purpose of the encyclopedia: change the way people thought
Denounced slavery
Advocated for freedom of expression and education for all
Translated his encyclopedia's to other languages- helped spread ideas.

17. Jean Jacques Rousseau Rousseau’s theories:
People were naturally good, society corrupted people
Some government control is necessary
“General will” best conscience of the people
Individuals should be subordinate to the community
“Man born free, everywhere he is in chains.”

18. Marquis de Beccaria Wrote “On Crimes and Punishment”
Government should use reason and equality
Upset with use of torture, corrupt judges, secret trials
Punishment should be based on harm done to society
Argued that peopled accused of crimes should be given a fair and speedy trial
Opposed to torture
Influenced Enlightenment Despots:
Frederick the Great abolished torture
Catherine the Great restricted the use of torture
Joseph II abolished the use of torture and capital punishment

19. Women During the Enlightenment
Women did not have the same rights as men did
Women’s rights were limited to the home
1700’s- women protested for their rights
Mary Wollstonecraft- argued that women were excluded from the social contract
Wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”- called for same sex education

20. Women During the Enlightenment
Madame Geoffrin opened her home for Enlightenment Salons. She even took part in conversations!
Olympe de Gouges published the female version of a document of the French Revolution titled “Declaration of the Rights of Man.” de Gouges version is called “Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen” where she called for equality in all things.

21. Economics Physiocrat- person who advocates for economic reforms
Laissez faire- the thought that government should operate with no government interference. Means “hands off”

22. Adam Smith Wrote “The Wealth of Nations”
Argued for free market- allowing the natural forces of supply and demand to dictate business
Invisible hand- the concept related to show how manufacturing, trade, wages, and profits were all linked to supply and demand
Believed in Laissez faire- economy better without government regulation

23. Enlightenment Ideas Spread
Achieving a “Just Society”
People began to challenge the old ways of society
People saw a need to reform
Known as the “Age of Reason”- ideas of Divine Right were debated and ended- considered unscientific and unnatural
Just Society- meant to ensure material, well-being, social justice, and happiness in this world

24. Enlightenment Ideas Spread
Censorship
Government and church authorities felt that they had a duty to defend the old government
Old government was set up by God
Government and Church officials banned books, burned books, and imprisoned some writers
Many were forced to publish under a fake name

25. Enlightenment Ideas Spread
Salons
New literature, arts, science, and philosophy were all discussed in salons
Salons were informal gatherings where writers, artists, philosophers, and others exchanged ideas
Originated in the 1600’s.
1700’s- women were beginning to go to salons

26. Enlightened Despotism
Enlightened Despots- ruler who used their power to bring about political and social change
The Enlightenment thinkers tried to convince European rulers to adopt their ideas
Some monarchs did accept the Enlightenment ideas
Enlightenment Despots- absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change

27. Enlightened Despot Frederick the Great
Expected tight control over his subjects
Saw himself as the first “servant of the state”
Wanted help from Voltaire
Frederick the Great tolerated religious differences, welcoming victims of religious persecution
His reforms directly impacted the Prussian government
Recognized the civil service and simplified laws
Rationalized bureaucracy stronger monarchy

28. Enlightened Despot Catherine the Great- Russia
Asked for help from Voltaire and Diderot
Made limited reforms in law and government
Granted nobles a charter of rights
Spoke out against serfdom
Restricted the use of torture
Wanted education for boys and girls
Limited religious toleration
Catherine did not want to give up power

29. Enlightened Despot Joseph II
Son of Maria Theresa from Hapsburg Austria
Joseph II’s nickname “peasant emperor”
Continued his mothers reforms
Chose talented middle class officials rather than nobles to head government departments
Granted toleration to protestants and Jews in Catholic Empire
Ended censorship
Sold property of unproductive monasteries and convents
Abolished serfdom

30. Effects of the Enlightenment
Constitutional Government and Enlightened Despotism
New economies
Causes: American, French, and Latin American Revolutions
New Ideas:
Relationship between government and society
Women’s rights
Social justice
Violence and torture
Basic liberties

31. The American Revolution
What were the causes to the American Revolution?
How did the Enlightenment influence the Revolution?
Thomas Paine
What were the effects of the American Revolution?
What thinkers and their ideas are present in the Declaration of Independence and later, the US Constitution?

32. The Enlightenment in America
Enlightenment ideas had an influence on the American Revolution.
English leaders in America shared John Locke’s reasoning of natural rights and the purpose of government.