The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment:: A New Way of ThinkingA New Way of Thinking

I.I. Definition:Definition:

A time when the A time when the use of use of reasonreason (logical (logical thinking) and thinking) and scientific scientific principles principles were applied were applied to political, to political, social and social and economic economic problems. problems.

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It was a direct result It was a direct result of absolutism.of absolutism.

The people of The people of Europe became Europe became

tired of the abuses tired of the abuses of power by of power by

absolute absolute monarchs. monarchs.

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Philosophes Philosophes wrote about wrote about natural lawsnatural laws, , or laws that or laws that govern human govern human behavior.behavior.

John Calvin Thomas Hobbes

II.II. Philosophes:Philosophes:Enlightenment thinkers who applied Enlightenment thinkers who applied

methods of science to improve society.methods of science to improve society.

1. Thomas 1. Thomas HobbesHobbes

Wrote “The Leviathan”Wrote “The Leviathan”

•Man is naturally cruel & must be Man is naturally cruel & must be controlledcontrolled

•Social contractSocial contract – an agreement to give – an agreement to give up man’s natural rights to live in organized up man’s natural rights to live in organized society.society.

• Gov’t must ensure order & obedienceGov’t must ensure order & obedience

•Promoted absolute monarchy Promoted absolute monarchy

The best government, according to Hobbes, was one that The best government, according to Hobbes, was one that had the absolute power of a leviathan (sea monster). had the absolute power of a leviathan (sea monster).

2. John Locke2. John LockeWrote “Two Treatises on Wrote “Two Treatises on

Government”Government”

•Man is born equal & good Man is born equal & good

•NaturalNatural rights- rights- rights belonging to all rights belonging to all humans humans “life, liberty and property”“life, liberty and property”

•Best gov’t: leader is limited and is Best gov’t: leader is limited and is accepted by all citizens (democracy)accepted by all citizens (democracy)

•If gov’t fails, people have the right to If gov’t fails, people have the right to overthrow itoverthrow it

The belief that a government’s power comes from The belief that a government’s power comes from the people is the foundation of modern the people is the foundation of modern

democracy.democracy.

““I disapprove of I disapprove of what you say, but I what you say, but I will defend to the will defend to the

death your right to death your right to say it.” say it.”

VoltaireVoltaire

3. Francois 3. Francois VoltaireVoltaire

Wrote: “Candide”Wrote: “Candide”

Published more than 70 books about Published more than 70 books about the the right to right to free speechfree speech. .

Promoted civil rights & religious Promoted civil rights & religious tolerationtoleration

Believed Enlightened Monarchs were Believed Enlightened Monarchs were bestbest

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He helped make He helped make liberalism (the liberalism (the philosophy that philosophy that emphasizes change, emphasizes change, freedom from tradition freedom from tradition and individual rights) and individual rights) more popularmore popular

DON’T WRITEDON’T WRITEVoltaire criticized the French gov’t and the Catholic Church in his Voltaire criticized the French gov’t and the Catholic Church in his

books and speeches; he was sent to prison twice and exiled to books and speeches; he was sent to prison twice and exiled to England for two years.England for two years.

4. Baron de 4. Baron de MontesquieuMontesquieu

Wrote “The Spirit of Laws”Wrote “The Spirit of Laws”•Gov’t should be separated into three Gov’t should be separated into three branches: branches: legislative, executive, legislative, executive, and judicialand judicial..

““When the legislature and When the legislature and executive are united in the executive are united in the same person there is no same person there is no liberty.”liberty.”

MontesquieuMontesquieuUsed as the basis for the Used as the basis for the

structure of the American gov’t structure of the American gov’t (checks and balances)(checks and balances)

DON’T WRITERousseau believed people are naturally good but are corrupted by the inequality of society.

5. Jean 5. Jean Jacques Jacques Rousseau Rousseau

Wrote “The Social Wrote “The Social Contract”Contract”People should give up some rights People should give up some rights for the common good.for the common good.

The will of the people is good but The will of the people is good but individuals should be subordinate to individuals should be subordinate to the community.the community.

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““Man is born free, Man is born free, but everywhere but everywhere he is in chains.”he is in chains.”

Two ViewsTwo Views►Democracy –Democracy –

authority given authority given to people to people

►Communism- Communism- good of the good of the community community over the over the individualindividual

His ideas helped spark the French Revolution.His ideas helped spark the French Revolution.

6. Adam 6. Adam SmithSmith

Wrote “The Wealth of Wrote “The Wealth of Nations”Nations”

The The free market- free market- the natural forces of the natural forces of supply and demand, should be allowed to supply and demand, should be allowed to operate and regulate business.operate and regulate business. Believed in Believed in laissez-faire-laissez-faire-allowing allowing business to operate without gov’t business to operate without gov’t interference.interference.

““It was not by gold or by It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world all wealth of the world

was originally was originally purchased.”purchased.”

Adam SmithAdam Smith

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In her book In her book A Vindication of A Vindication of the Rights of the Rights of WomenWomen, , Mary Mary WollstonecraftWollstonecraft argued that women argued that women needed education needed education to become virtuous to become virtuous and useful.and useful.

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Women could be doctors and participate in Women could be doctors and participate in politics, just like men!politics, just like men!

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Mary Wollstonecraft’s daughter, Mary Mary Wollstonecraft’s daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, would write the classic Wollstonecraft Shelley, would write the classic novel novel FrankensteinFrankenstein..

III. Spread of IdeasIII. Spread of Ideas1.1. The printing press The printing press

spread spread Enlightenment ideas.Enlightenment ideas.

2.2. Salons-Salons- women women organized social organized social gatherings to gatherings to exchange ideas & exchange ideas & perspectivesperspectives

IV. Enlightened DespotsIV. Enlightened Despots► Absolute rulers who used their power to Absolute rulers who used their power to

bring about political and social change.bring about political and social change.

DON’T WRITEDON’T WRITEFrederick the Great (Prussia), Catherine the Great Frederick the Great (Prussia), Catherine the Great (Russia),(Russia),

Joseph II (Austria)Joseph II (Austria)

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V. V. EffectsEffectsA.A.Enlightenment Enlightenment inspired a belief in inspired a belief in personal freedom personal freedom and equality.and equality.

B.B.Growth of Growth of democracy.democracy.

C.C.Age of Age of revolution!revolution!

VI. Arts and Literature VI. Arts and Literature Middle class (merchants and town officials) Middle class (merchants and town officials) influenced art and music.influenced art and music.

Baroque:Baroque: A grand, bright style of art A grand, bright style of art Rococo Style:Rococo Style: Delicate Porcelain, portraits, tapestries Delicate Porcelain, portraits, tapestries Music:Music: Composers- Bach, Mozart, Handel Composers- Bach, Mozart, Handel

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart George Frideric Handel

Johann Sebastian Bach[