1. The Enlightenment and American Revolution
Chapter 17 - World History B – Mrs. Krabill

2. 1: Philosophy and the Age of Reason
F.Q. Focus Question (this should go on your daily chart):
What effects did Enlightenment philosophers have on government and society?

3. Changing the World
Thinkers felt with reason they could solve any problem…
Political
Social
Economic
Outburst of scholars, writers & philosophers
What are you changing the world with?

4. Background: Scientific Revolution
Scientists expanded knowledge
Ex. Vaccines – smallpox
Natural Law – rules discoverable by reason
Ex. Gravity and magnetism
Study of human behavior
All this leads to the Enlightenment
Term coined by Immanuel Kant, The Critique of Pure Reason

5. Conflicting Views Thomas Hobbes John Locke Powerful government
People need to be controlled
Life could not exist in the “state of nature”
Social contract – agreement by which people give up freedom for organization
Absolute Monarchy
Optimistic view of people
Natural rights – rights belonging to humans at birth
Purpose of govt is to protect rights
Obligation to the people
People could overthrow it
Radical for the time

6. The Philosophes
Thinkers who believed reason could lead to reform & improvements on society
These ideas spread beyond France and Europe

7. Montesquieu Studied world governments – ancient and modern
Sharp criticism of absolute monarchy
Believed in the separation of powers
Affected the Framers of the United States Constitution

8. Voltaire Said what he thought
Used “biting wit” to expose abuses in government
Corruption, inequality, injustice, superstition
Offended the French govt and Catholic Church (gasp!)
Imprisoned, forced into exile, outlawed writings
Defended freedom of speech

9. Diderot Compiled articles written by other thinkers into 28-volumes
Encyclopedia
Denounced slavery
Praised freedom of expression & religion
Supported education
His compilation was translated – spread ideas

10. Rousseau Believed natural innocence was corrupted by society
The Social Contract
Minimal government control
Hatred of political and economic oppression

11. Mary Wollenstonecraft
Women were left out of the social contract
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Equal education
Women should not have to depend on their husbands
First role is a good mother
Were often condemned for this thinking

12. New Economic Thinking
Physiocrats focused on economic reforms (natural laws)
Laissez-Faire replaces mercantilism
Little to no government regulation of business
Free trade; opposed tariffs (taxes)
Adam Smith – Scottish economist
The Wealth of Nations
Supported free market economy
Free trade; supply and demand

13. 2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread
As Enlightenment ideas spread across Europe, what cultural and political changes took place?

14. Heart of the Enlightenment
Paris, France
Reforms spread from France  Europe  rest of the world
Traditional beliefs were found flawed
Absolute monarchs feel threatened

15. New ideas challenge society
Educated people read Encyclopedia
Changing of society’s worldview
Writers are censored because of their attacks on leaders and the church
Discuss issues in salons, informal social gatherings
Madame Geofrin – respected salon (Mozart & Chopin!)

16. Arts, literature & music
Louis XIV era: Baroque style – huge, colorful, exciting
Historical battles or religion
Louis XV era: Rococo style – lighter, elegant, charming
Not religious, encouraged imagination
Classical music
Bach, Handel, Mozart, etc.
Ballet
Novels – prose fiction

17. Enlightened Despots
Absolute monarchs who used their power to bring about social & political change
Frederick II – Prussia - praised Voltaire – supported the common good, but didn’t want to give up power
Catherine the Great – Russia – equality and liberty
Joseph II– Austria – traveled in disguise -improved peasant’s way of life

18. 3: American Revolution (in brief)
Britain – global power
Controlled trade
Won conflicts
Large territory
Colonists rebel
Britain imposed taxes on colonists
Continental Congress chose George Washington to lead them
Colonists declare independence
1776 – adopt the Declaration
Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson