1. The Enlightenment in Europe
Chapter 6.2

2. Enlightenment
A revolution in intellectual activity changes Europeans’ view of government and society

3. Views on Government
Europeans seek insights into society during the 1600’s and 1700’s
Leads to the Enlightenment - a movement stressing reason and thought

4. Philosophes Advocates Reason
The philosophes are French social critics in the mid-1700s
Value reason, nature, happiness, progress, and liberty

5. Hobbes’s Social Contract
Hobbes distrusts humans, favors strong government to keep order
Promotes social contract – getting order by giving power to monarch

6. Locke’s Natural Rights
Philosopher John Locke says government gets power from the people
Stresses that the people have the right to overthrow an unjust government
Unalienable rights (Natural Rights)
Life, Liberty, and Property

7. Voltaire
Voltaire – influential philosophe, pen name of Francois Marie Arouet
Publishes many work arguing for tolerance, reason
Makes powerful enemies and is imprisoned twice for his views

8. Montesquieu
French writer who admires Britain’s government system
Favors separation of powers to keep one body from running government

9. Rousseau
Philosophe who favors individual freedom, direct democracy
Views social contract as agreement by free people to form government

10. Beccaria
Italian philosopher Cesare Beccaria works to reform justice system
Against torture of prisoners
Calls for speedy trails, greater rights for criminal defendants

11. Mary Wollstonecraft
Urges greater rights for women
Argues that women need education to be virtuous and useful

12. Mary Wollstonecraft
Urges women to go into traditionally male professions like politics
Some wealthy women use their status to spread enlightenment ideas

13. Legacy
Philosophes are not activists, but inspire others to begin major revolutions
Scientific breakthroughs show human capacity to improve society

14. Legacy
Secular outlook – new ideas question religious ideas
Many people openly question beliefs and practices of Christianity

15. Importance of the Individual
People place more importance on individual rights and abilities
Reason becomes central concept for philosophers and rulers