1. The Enlightenment
In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:
The Enlightenment
Voltaire
Adam Smith
Catherine the Great

2. The Enlightenment was an important movement in Europe during the
18th century.

3. Enlightenment Thinkers
Enlightenment thinkers were influenced by the Scientific Revolution.
They believed that by applying reason and scientific laws, people could better understand both nature and society.
They believed that scientific reasoning could be applied to society.

4. Enlightenment thinkers wanted to make the world a better place.

5. Improving Society
Enlightenment thinkers hoped to apply scientific reasoning to improve society.
Enlightenment thinkers frequently questioned the power of the Roman Catholic Church as well as divine right.
Enlightenment ideas were adopted in the American Declaration of Independence.

6. Voltaire was a French philosopher. He strongly supported freedom of
religion and the right to a fair trial.

7. Jean-Jacques
Rousseau
believed that
government
should
express
the will (want) of
the people.

8. Baron de Montesquieu
Baron de Montesquieu wrote a book called, The Spirit of the Laws in 1748. 
He thought the government should divide itself according to its powers, creating a Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch.
Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

9. Mary Wollstonecraft
Wollstonecraft argued that women, like men, need education to become virtuous and useful.
Wollstonecraft also urged women to enter the male-dominated fields of medicine and politics

10. Adam Smith was a Scottish philosopher.
He observed changes occurring in the
marketplace. He discovered the rules
of the free market.

11. In a free market, individuals are free to buy and sell. The government
does not intervene. Competition
and self-interest ensure the goods
people need at fair prices.

12. Like
scientists,
Enlightenment
thinkers
carefully
observed
society and
looked for
principles best
suited
for its
functioning.

13. Even some
monarchs, like
Russia’s
Catherine the Great,
tried to apply
Enlightenment ideas
to improve society.

14. However,
Catherine
would not
part
with
any of
her
absolute power.

15. Enlightenment
thinkers
believed that
reasoning and
scientific laws
could make the
world a better
place.

16. Questions for Reflection:
How did the Scientific Revolution influence the Enlightenment?
What were the goals of Enlightenment thinkers?
Who was Voltaire and what did he believe?
Describe Adam Smith’s observations of the free market.
What aspect of the Enlightenment did Catherine the Great not accept?