1. The Enlightenment
Chapter 10
Section 2, 3, & 4

2. Path to the Enlightenment
Influenced by the Scientific Revolution
Earth revolves around the sun
Advances in medicine
Advances in math
Applied the scientific method to society
Hoped to make progress towards a better society
Reason, natural law, hope, progress

3. The Philosophers John Locke tabula rasa – “blank mind”
People are molded by the experience that came through their senses from the surrounding world.
Born good and equal
Government’s role – to protect people’s natural rights
People consent to their government
People have the right to overthrow their government
Two Treatises on Government
Born with natural rights - “life, liberty, and property”

4. Smith Montes-quieu Voltaire Diderot Beccaria Wollstone-craft
Philosophes
Montes-quieu
Voltaire
Smith
Rousseau
Diderot
Wollstone-craft
Beccaria

5. the Philosophers Montesquieu
Spirit of the Laws (1748) was a study of governments
3 Kinds of governments
1.) republics (small states)
2.) despotism (large states) one person has all the power
3.) monarchies (moderate sized states)
Separation of powers – each branch of government is limited and controlled each other in a system of checks and balances.

6. the Philosophers Voltaire
Known for his criticism of Christianity and religious tolerance
Treatise on Toleration (1763)
“all men are brothers under God.”
deism – a religious philosophy in which a mechanic (God) creates a clock (the universe) and sets it in motion, allowing it to run on its own without his interference and according to its own natural laws.

7. the Philosophers Diderot
Encyclopedia, or Classified Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Trades
“change the general way of thinking”
28 Volumes, written between 1751 and 1772
became a weapon against old French society
sold to doctors, teachers, clergymen, and lawyers

8. the Philosophers Adam Smith Wealth of Nations (1776)
laissez-faire – “to let people do what they want”; the state should not interrupt the free play of natural economic forces by imposing regulations on the economy. Instead it should leave the economy alone.
Three basic roles of government
Protect society
Defend against injustice
Maintain public works

9. the Philosophers Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Displeased that mankind had become enslaved by government
The Social Contract (1762) – presented social contract, or the belief an entire society agrees to be governed by it general will. Through the general will liberty is achieved.
believed emotions as well as reason were important to human development.

10. the Philosophers Mary Wollstonecraft
Pointed out two flaws of Enlightenment philosophers
Since the oppression of government over men was wrong, men’s oppression over women equally wrong
Women reason and are entitled to the same rights as men
Cesare Beccaria
Prior punishment for crimes was harsh
On Crimes and Punishment (1764)
Punishments should not be brutal
Opposed capital punishment

11. Summary Questions
What were the main problems that the enlightenment philosophers attempted to solve with their new ideas?
Do you think the philosophers were successful in improving society? Why or why not?

12. Impact of the Enlightenment
Enlightened absolutism – rulers who attempted to govern by Enlightenment principles while maintaining power.
But were they truly enlightened
3 Examples
Prussia
Austria
Russia

13. Impact of the Enlightenment
For each country… identify the following
Ruler(s)
How was the social and political system before the enlightenment?
How did rulers incorporate enlightenment ideas?
Were they truly enlightened? Why or why not?

14. Enlightened Absolutism
Were the Enlightened despots really enlightened?
Support your answer with an example from each country in your group.

15. Prussia
Rulers: Frederick William Frederick II Social system: serfdom, nobles serve in army (civil service) Political system: military power house, absolute monarchy Enlightenment reforms: Frederick II – abolished torture, more freedom of speech, religious toleration

16. Austria Rulers: Maria Theresa Joseph II
Social system: serfdom, favored landowning nobility, many languages, religions and cultures
Political system: absolute monarchy
Enlightenment reforms: Maria Theresa - ease on serf’s restrictions. Joseph II – eliminated death penalty, equality before the law, religious reforms and toleration

17. Russia Rulers: Catherine II (The Great)
Social system: serfdom, favored landowning nobility
Political system: absolute monarchy, great territorial expansion
Enlightenment reforms: ease on serf’s restrictions, attempted new law code (more equality under the law)

18. Enlightened Absolutism
Only Joseph II sought changes.
All interested in power and welfare of the state
Used enlightenment ideas to suppress their subjects
Created and lead to a rivalry among states

19. War of Austrian Succession
Maria Theresa not seen as a legitimate ruler
Prussia invades Silesia
Fought in three areas of the world –
Europe – Austria vs. Prussia over Silesia
Asia – France took Madras from British
North America – French vs. British for Fort Louisbourg
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
Everything returned except Silesia

20. (War of Austrian Succession)
Team Austria
Team Prussia
Old Alliances
(War of Austrian Succession)
Austria
Great Britain
Prussia
France
New Alliances
(Seven Years’ War)
Russia

21. Seven Years’ War War in Europe War in Asia
Prussian known for strong military
Gradually worn down to a stalemate
Russia withdrew
Ended with peace and all lands returned except for Silesia
Austria accepted defeat
War in Asia
Britain v France
Struggle for India and colonial domination
British won (more persistent)
Treaty of Paris

22. Seven Years’ War War in North America British v. French
Differences in set up of colonies
Fought over two main areas
Gulf of St. Lawrence
Ohio River Valley
Clash with the Native Americans
British prevailed over French in the naval battles
Ended with the Treaty of Paris and British domination over American territory

23. Extended Response question
Name two enlightenment ideas that influenced the founding documents of the United States. Include the idea, which philosopher it came from, and how we incorporated it. (6 points)

24. Birth of a New Nation Articles of Confederation
Weak central government out of fear
Federal system – national and state governments share power
3 Branches (Montesquieu’s idea)
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Ratification by ¾ of the states (9 /13)
Included the Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments
Protects basic freedoms based on natural rights