1. The Enlightenment: Path to the Enlightenment Philosophical movement of the 18 th century Intellectuals were impressed with the achievements of the Scientific Revolution Reason The application of the scientific method to an understanding of all life Used this reason to make progress to an improved society

2. Isaac Newton The physical world was a giant machine Intellectuals believed they could use Newton’s methods to discover the natural laws governing human society John Locke Essay Concerning Human Understanding Every person born with a tabula rasa, or blank mind Used Newton’s methods to try to discover a universal set of natural laws

3. The Enlightenment: Philosophes and Their Ideas Philosophe – French name meaning “philosopher” Writers, professors, journalists, economists, and social reformers Many French, yet still an International movement Role of philosophy was to change the world Enlightenment spanned a century Got more radical with each generation

4. The Enlightenment: Montesquieu The Spirit of the Laws Used the scientific method to find the natural laws that govern the social and political relationships of human beings Identified 3 forms of government Republics – for small states Despotism – for large states Monarchies – moderate-size states Three Branches of Government Separation of Powers Limited by a system of checks and balances

5. The Enlightenment: Voltaire Criticism of Christianity Religious toleration Treatise on Toleration “All men are brothers under God” Deism – based on reason and natural law Built on the idea of the Newtonian world-machine Creator made the earth, then stepped back and let it run

7. The Enlightenment: Diderot Became a freelance writer So he could study many subjects Wrote the Encyclopedia Classified Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Trades 28 Volume Collection Articles attacked religious superstition Supported religious toleration Sold to doctors, clergymen teachers and lawyers Spread the ideas of the Enlightenment