1. The Enlightenment in Europe

2. Setting the Stage…
In the wake of the Scientific Revolution, and new ways of thinking it prompted, scholars and philosophers began to reevaluate old notions about other aspects of society. They sought new insight into the underlying beliefs regarding government, religion, economics, and education. Their efforts spurred the ENLIGHTENMENT, a new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems.

3. Key Points
Enlightenment philosophers admire scientists’ use of reason to understand the natural world.
Enlightened thinkers wanted to use reason to fix problems.
Promote reason to understand government, religion, education, and economics.
Want to change the government & improve society

4. Two Views on Government
Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan (1651) –
All humans were naturally selfish
and wicked
Without governments to
keep order, there would be
“war… of every man against
every man” and life would be
“solitary, poor, nasty, brutish,
and short.”

5. Social Contract
People had to hand over their rights to a strong ruler, in exchange, they gained law and order
Ruler needed total power to keep citizens under control
Best government was one that had the awesome power of a leviathan (sea monster)
Absolute monarchy

6. John Locke
Thought people were reasonable & had natural ability to govern themselves
Learn from experience
Purpose of government=
protect natural rights:
What we deserve to have
because we exist

7. Natural Rights
All people are born free and equal, with three natural rights
LIFE
LIBERTY
PROPERTY
Purpose of the government is to PROTECT these rights! If they fail, citizens have a right to overthrow it.
Ideas of government – modern democracy?

8. The Philosophes Advocate Reason
French word for philosophers
Believed that people could apply reason to all aspects of life

9. Philosophes beliefs…
Reason – Enlightened thinkers believed truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking
Nature – the philosophes believed that what was natural was good and reasonable
Happiness – the philosophes rejected the medieval notion that people should find joy in the hereafter and urged people to seek well-being on earth.

10. 4. Progress – they stressed that society and humankind could improve
5. Liberty – they called for the liberties that the English people had won in their Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights

11. Voltaire Tolerance, reason,
“ I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it”
Tolerance, reason,
Freedom of: thought, expression, and religious belief

12. Voltaire One of the most brilliant and influential philosophers
Francois Marie Arouet
Published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy and drama
Used satire against his opponents
His “sharp tongue” landed him in prison twice
Exiled to England for more than 2 years

13. Baron de Montesquieu Devoted to the study of political liberty
Believed Britain was
best-governed and most
politically balanced
country of this time

14. Separation of Powers King Parliament Judges of English courts
executive powers – carried out laws of the state
Parliament
Legislative powers
Made laws
Judges of English courts
Judicial powers
Interpreted laws to each particular case

15. Checks and Balances
Separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government
“Power,” he wrote, “should be a check to power”

16. Jean Jacques Rousseau
Viewed government as a Social Contract among free individuals to create a society guided by the “general will”

17. Rousseau: Champion of Freedom
Social contract was an agreement between a society and its government
Committed to individual freedom
Disagreed with many Enlightenment thinkers
Civilization corrupted people’s goodness
Only good government was one that was freely formed by the people and guided by the “general will” of society

18. Beccaria – Promotes Criminal Justice
Cesare Bonesana Beccaria
Believed that laws existed to preserve judicial order, not to avenge crimes
Criticized common abuses of justice
Abolished tort

19. Women and the Enlightenment
Mary Wollstonecraft
Argued women needed
an education just like men,
it was vital to life for
all people
Women would spread
ideas by meeting in
salons, or social gatherings

20. On your own…
For each individual that we talked about today, write about how they impacted our lives now. What was their impact and what is the legacy of the Enlightenment? This should be in DETAIL and at least ½ page long!!!!!!
Use page 198 and 199 to help