1. The Enlightenment
American Studies

2. Europe before the 1600s
The majority of governments were absolute monarchies
The monarchs and rich nobles controlled the general public
The Roman Catholic Church told the people what was right/wrong, and how to live their lives
But after this Age of Faith, a scientific revolution led to a transition into the Age of Reason starting in the late 1600s-1700s

3. The Age of Reason
Scientific Revolution: An intellectual movement emphasizing the study of the natural world rather than blindly accepting old ideas
Before 1600s: Most of the Europe still believes Ptolemy’s theory of the universe (2nd century AD)
The Earth is the center of the universe and everything revolves around it
With the revolution, others start to finally question this

4. Scientific Revolution
Nicolas Copernicus: Theory that the sun is the center of the universe; Earth and other heavenly bodies revolve around it
Galileo Galilei: Builds first telescope in 1609 and sees the planets do revolve around the sun
The Catholic church does not approve of this
1663: During an Inquisition, they force him to state publicly the Earth is the center

5. The Age of Reason: Scientific Revolution
Scientific Method: Study by means of direct observation and experimentation
Scientists/Philosophers like Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes continue finding explanations for the natural world
Isaac Newton uses this to create his theory of gravity
Use reason over faith to answer questions about human nature and society-changes the mindset of the world and led to burst of change and intellectual activity

6. The Enlightenment
Bringing light to new ideas, reaching a higher state of mind, leads to progress
Greatly influenced political thinkers, especially in England and France
They began to question old beliefs about government and laws
Promoted new theories based on natural rights of man, questioning the authority of the church and their monarchs

7. Enlightenment: English Thinkers
Thomas Hobbes: major work was Leviathan
Believes humans are mostly selfish and because of this nature they need strong government to maintain law and order
People have to sacrifice right to do whatever they wish in exchange for peace and security
Called this exchange/agreement between people and government a social contract
Believed absolute monarchy was best

8. English Enlightenment Thinkers
John Locke: Also wrote about social contract but did not believe absolute monarch was necessary
Felt people were basically good and capable of governing themselves
Second Treatise of Government: people born with certain natural rights including life, liberty and property
Government set up as efficient means to protect natural rights

9. John Locke
Most important part of social contract is the government’s obligation to protect the rights of the governed
Led to the revolutionary idea that if government didn’t protect the rights of the people they have the right to overthrow the government and create a new one

10. French Thinkers: Philosophes
Continued English ideas in 1700s: all had same desire for reform but differed on how it should be done
Voltaire: Published many essays, plays, and works of fiction to promote enlightenment ideas
Believed in religious toleration and deism
Used humor to attack laws/customs of France, government, church, aristocracy, etc. (Candide)
Imprisoned in the Bastille and later exiled for many years

11. Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of Laws
Influenced by Locke who helped lead The Glorious Revolution in England in 1689 to create limited constitutional monarchy in England
Decided England had best government because it balanced the powers of competing groups in society
Divided power among three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative
Each can control others through checks and balances
A government with divided power has limited power and is less likely to violate natural rights of citizens

12. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Discourse on Social Contract: Government should be committed to the common good or public interest
When a leader ceases to be moral and good then they lose their right to exercise authority
The state is created to preserve freedom, and all people should participate in government
Equality of power and of property will eliminate discrimination
Laws should apply equally to everyone

13. Influence of Enlightenment Thinkers
Less government interference: middle class has sees more benefits with their business ventures
Physiocrats: French intellectuals applying these ideas to economics
Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations (1776)
Laissez-faire: Government keeps their “hands-off” the economy and allow supply/demand to control the market
Middle class also becomes more interested in art and reading (often depicted by Rembrandt)

14. The Declaration of Independence
Compare to Locke’s ideas about independence, as well as the influence of other thinkers
The Constitution