The EnLIGHTenment

Chapter 6.1 & 6.2

In the Dark • Before the Enlightenment,

Europe was “in the dark” • Few questioned the teachings of

the church• “Common sense” ruled

The Scientific Revolution • ~1550s: scholars begin to

question accepted beliefs • Muslim texts translated• Math rules!• Printing press invented – spreads

ideas

Scientific Method• Rather than using “Common

sense,” scholars use a logical way to GATHER and TEST data

Sci. Revolution Thinkers• Copernicus/Galileo: the earth is

not the center of the universe• Newton: gravity – “everything in

the universe is affected by the same force”

The Enlightenment• “The Age of Reason”• Apply reason to ALL aspects of

society

Views on GovernmentHobbes Locke

People are naturally selfish & wicked; need a strong ruler

People are naturally reasonable; can learn to govern selves

Hobbes Locke

Social contract: give up some rights to gain safety & security

All people are free and have 3 natural rights….

Locke

Locke’s Three Natural Rights: 1.Life2.Liberty3.Property

…if the government can’t protect these rights, overthrow the government

LIFE, LIBERTY, and the pursui… PROPERTY!

• The power of one branch of government should be to “check” the other branches of government • Checks and balances

Montesquieu

Rousseau• Monarchs and “regular” folks

should all follow the same rules • Civilization corrupts people’s

natural goodness• Inspired French

Revolution

Beccaria• Justice is supposed to keep order• No torture of witnesses &

suspects, cruel/unusual/excessive punishment, capital punishment• Trials should be speedy &

procedural

Women’s Roles• Mary Wollstonecraft = women

should be educated, participate in politics• “If all men are born free, how is it

that all women are born slaves?” –Mary Astell

Most Likely to…

Comic Strip – Living through it

Hobbes Locke Voltaire Montesquieu

Rousseau Beccaria Wollstonecraft Honorable mention: Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, The Church/Pope