1. The Enlightenment and Democratic Revolutions
Prologue / Section 4

2. Enlightenment Ideas
Occurred during the 17th and 18th Century. Thinkers built on western thought.
Followers of the ideas hoped that they could use reason to discover natural laws that governed society just as scientists had used to discover physical laws.

3. Enlightenment Followers’
Thomas Hobbes: believed people selfish and ambitious by nature. Believed in absolute Monarchy.
John Locke: believed the fundamental duty of the government was to protect the rights of the people. Said, “people have right to rebel against government who fails.”

5. Enlightenment Followers’
Rousseau: wrote Social Contract, which advocated democracy. Thought opposite of Hobbes believed free individuals wanted to create government.
Montesquieu: Recognized liberty as natural right. Wrote Spirit of Laws. Said “anyone in power, will try to increase power.” (separation of powers)

7. Beginning Democracy in America
Enlightenment had a major influence in the American colonies.
“Taxation without Representation.”
Also thought unfair couldn’t settle land west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Colonists begin to fight back for rights.

8. Democracy in America (cont’d)
British continue to tax the colonies.
Leads to American Revolution, which in 1776 leads to creation of the U.S.A.
Enlightenment ideas influence writers of the Declaration of Independence, especially ideas of Locke.
Ideas led to representative government and federal system.

10. French Revolution
Began because Louis XVI was weak leader. His wife involved in government (unpopular) and only commoners paid taxes.
Inspired by the American Revolution.
By 1789 government was about to go bankrupt.
People wanted democratic freedoms.

12. French Revolution (cont’d)
Influenced by Enlightenment ideas they adopted the Rights of Man.
Declaration guaranteed rights of “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.”
Creates limited monarchy.
However, not until the mid-1800’s is democracy established in France.