1. The Enlightenment in Europe
Ch 22. 2

2. Enlightenment People were influenced by the Scientific Revolution
People began applying scientific principles to all aspects of society
Government (who should rule, how they should rule, why?)
Religion
Society
Economics
Education
Enlightenment, Age of Reason, an intellectual movement pushing reason, thought, and the power of the individual to fix problems, discover, and reason

3. Enlightenment
Philosophers questioned the world around them, many were skeptics
Belief that nothing is certain in this life; that doubting everything is the first step to truth
Many new philosophies started in “the state of nature”
Hypothetical existence where people live in a place before societies existed
Philosophers argued over what people were like in this state, what natural laws and natural rights they had (Hobbes – preservation, Locke – reason)

4. Thomas Hobbes Major philosopher
The horrors of the English Civil War convinced Thomas Hobbes that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked
Without governments to keep order, “there would be war of every man against every man”
Life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, and short”
Philosophy published in 1651, “Leviathan”

5. Hobbes’ Social Contract**
In order to escape such a bleak life, people had to give up their rights to a strong ruler
In exchange, they gained law and order
Hobbes called this agreement a Social Contract
Remember, people are wicked and selfish, therefore, the ruler needed complete power
Pushed for absolute monarchy; people could not rebel and ruler should rule justly, but harshly
Rule as a “leviathan” or sea monster

7. John Locke
“Father of Classical Liberalism”, laid down basics of democracy
Positive views of human nature
People can learn from experience
Improve themselves
Reasonable beings, can self govern and look after welfare of society
All people born free and equal with three rights
Life
Liberty
Property
These are his “natural rights of men” published in his 1690 book “Two Treatises of Government”
Argued that the purpose of government is to protect these rights; government power comes from the consent of the people (social contract); if the king does not protect, it is the right of the people to overthrow

8. John Locke

9. Change in Thought
Locke’s ideas of Natural Rights influenced modern political thinking
He stated that the government’s power comes from the consent of the people
This became the foundation of modern democracy

10. Enlightenment in France
France was the capital of the Enlightenment movement
It reached its height in the mid-1700s
Paris became the meeting place for people who wanted to discuss politics and social issues
The people were called “Philosophes”

12. Philosophes beliefs
They believed they could apply reason to EVERY and ALL aspects of life
Five important concepts formed the core of their philosophy
1) Reason – Enlightened thinkers believed truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking. Reason was the absence of intolerance, bigotry, or prejudice in one’s thinking
2) Nature – they believed there were natural laws of economics and politics just as there were natural laws of motion
3) Happiness – a person who lived by nature’s laws would find happiness
4) Progress – society and humankind could be perfected using a scientific approach
5) Liberty – through reason, society could be set free (freedom of speech, religion, travel, trade, etc.)

13. Francois Marie Arouet (Voltaire)
Francois, penname Voltaire, wrote over 70 books and essays
Used satire to attack the clergy, aristocracy, and the government
Despised by many he was imprisoned in France twice, exiled to England once
Friend of Frederick II and other nobles who were “Enlightened”

14. Voltaire
During his exiled he became impressed with England's liberal government and ways; continued to mock France once he returned
Used his satire to fight intolerance, prejudice, and superstition
Although he made many enemies, he never stopped fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

15. Baron de Montesquieu Writer of the study of political liberty
Studied English law and decided it was the best on the planet
Oversimplified British rule into executive, legislative, and judicial did not work as perfect as he made it to be

16. Checks and Balances 1748, published “On the Spirit of Laws”
He said the separation of power would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government
Government should have executive, legislative, and judicial branch
“Power should be a check to power”
This system is now known as ‘checks and balances”

18. Jean Jacques Rousseau Passionately committed to individual freedom
Brilliant philosopher, lived a conflicted life; depression and controversy
Worked as an engraver, music teacher, tutor, and secretary before writing philosophy

19. Rousseau Differs from other Philosophes
Most Philosophes believed that reason, science, and art would improve life for all people (civilization)
Rousseau argued civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness; people were happiest alone in a state of nature
As people became more civilized, freedom and equality were destroyed
1762, publishes “The Social Contract”
Called for direct democracy, freely formed by the people and guided by their will
Contract between people, not people and government
Give up small amount of freedoms for the common good
All people are equal, no titles

20. Compare Hobbes and Rousseau’s Social Contracts
Agreement between a society and its government
People are inherently wicked and to be controlled by the government.
Rousseau
Agreement among free individuals to create a society and a government
Legitimate government came from the consent of the governed
All people were equal and nobility should be abolished

21. Cesare Beccaria Italian philosophe Studied the Justice system
Believed that laws existed to preserve social order, and NOT to avenge crimes
1764, wrote “On Crimes and Punishments

22. Beccaria's Groundbreaking Beliefs
Supported more positive penal laws
Torturing of witnesses and suspects
Irregular proceedings in trials
Punishments that were cruel or arbitrary
Person has a right to a speedy trial and torture should never be used
The degree of punishment should be based on the seriousness of the crime
Capital punishment should be abolished
*Governments should seek the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
*His ideas influenced criminal law reformers around the world.

23. Women in the Enlightenment
Mixed beliefs from thinkers
Rousseau believed girl’s education should teach her how to be a wife and mother
Other critics scolded women for reading novels because they thought it encouraged idleness and wickedness
Others believed they should be educated and share ideas
Salons may have been the biggest accomplishment of women during the Enlightenment
1764, English Writer, Mary Astell published “A Serious Proposal to the Ladies”
Addressed lack of educational opportunities for women
Unequal relationship between men and women in a marriage
If absolute monarchies are no good for philosophers, then why are they good for a husband over his wife?
“If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?”

24. Mary Astell

25. Mary Wollstonecraft Self taught to read and write
Fought for education for women
1792, published an essay called A Vindication of the Rights of Women in
The key to freedom was getting a better education.
Women need education to become virtuous and useful.
Be able to be nurses and doctors
Rights to participate in politics
Died in her thirties giving birth to daughter, Mary Shelley……

26. Mary Wollstonecraft

27. Impact 3 Major New Beliefs Belief in progress Secular outlook
People no longer believed that the monarchy held absolute power and divine right.
Made European monarchs to make reforms and give more rights to their people.
Theories eventually inspired the American and French Revolutions
3 Major New Beliefs
Belief in progress
Secular outlook
Focus on individual

28. Through reason, a better society is possible (Progress)
The success of the scientific revolution gave people the confidence that human reason could solve social problems
Philosophes and reformers urged an end to the practice of slavery
Argued for more social equality and improvements in education
End to monarchies or unfair rule

29. A more secular outlook Non-religious outlook on life.
Rid religious faith of superstition and fear
Promote tolerance of all religions

30. Importance of the Individual
As people began to turn away from the church and royalty for guidance, they looked to themselves instead
People used their OWN reason to decide what is right or wrong
Adam Smith, extended emphasis in economics saying that people created economic progress when they acted in their own self-interest