1. The Enlightenment Introduction

2. In groups of four, think back on last semester and work out a definition of the term baroque What does the term Neoclassical evoke for you?

4. Other terms Enlightenment The Age of Reason Enciclopedists / Philosophes Diderot Reason -- a perfect society built on common sense and tolerance Truth dispersing the shadows of ignorance

5. Montesquieu Charles Louis de Secondat 1689-1755 Noble background Educated in science and history Became a lawyer Considered, along with John Locke, as the ideological co-founder of the American Constitution

6. Works Masterpiece: The Spirit of the Laws (1748), considers: Monarchy Despotism Republic Felt Republic was best

7. Montesquieu’s Thought " Montesquieu advocated constitutionalism, the preservation of civil liberties, the abolition of slavery, gradualism, moderation, peace, internationalism, social and economic justice with due respect to national and local tradition. He believed in justice and the rule of law; detested all forms of extremism and fanaticism; put his faith in the balance of power and the division of authority as a weapon against despotic rule by individuals or groups or majorities; and approved of social equality, but not the point which it threatened individual liberty; and out of liberty, but not to the point where it threatened to disrupt orderly government." Sir Isaiah Berlin Against the Current

8. But he did not completely believe in equality: Believed in slavery Women were inferior

9. Persian Letters (1721) First work to gain him fame Epistolary form correspondence between Usbek (Persian aristocrat) traveling in France and his friends, his wives, or eunuchs

10. When reading, think about: What Montesquieu criticizes and why? Why does he use the epistolary form? Why does he use Persian travelers in Europe? How are the Persians characterized?