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The Enlightenment
Today we will use Cornell Notes Style
What is the Enlightenment ? The Enlightenment was an intellectual
movement that began in France. It’s leaders were called philosophes.
Came from nobility and middle class. Reason became their guide and motto
Philosophes believed that if reason was applied to politics and government, it would be a better , more just society for all.
Philosophes… met to discuss
reason, logic, rationale, and how to solve social problems
were against Divine Right and believed the people are the source of government’s power
believed in using the scientific method to solve social problems
met in underground clubs called Salons
The Enlightenment Enlightened thinkers believed that
human reason could be used to combat ignorance, superstition, and tyranny and to build a better world.
Principal targets: Religion and the domination of society by hereditary aristocracy. In other words, the church and the state, who often worked hand-in-hand.
Who were the Philosophes Mad At?
King Louis XVI of France 1643-1715
The Sun King
Why? Ruled France as an
absolute monarch in control of every aspect of every French citizen’s life
Believed his entire kingdom revolved solely around him: called himself “The Sun King”
Lived a lavish life funded by heavy taxes on most of his subjects
Most of his subjects lived in poverty with barely enough to eat
Believed in Divine Right: Believed God anointed him king so he was only responsible to answer to God, not to his subjects
Enlightenment Emphasized… Individualism, freedom, and change
replaced community, authority, and tradition as core values
Monarchies dwindled over the course of 100 years beginning in mid-18th century
Church insisted it was the only source of truth
Most important, the middle classes—the bourgeoisie—were painfully aware that they were paying taxes to support a fabulously expensive aristocracy that contributed nothing of value to society.
Philosophers France
Voltaire Rousseau Montesquieu
England John Locke Mary
Wollstonecraft
America Thomas Jefferson Thomas Paine Benjamin Franklin Patrick Henry George
Washington
Your Assignment In groups, you will:
Gather information about a enlightenment thinker
Explain their new thinking ideas What did they contribute to society?
(Ideals, books, etc. ) Groups of 3-4
Each member will be responsible for a different role Reader- read and summarize to group Writer – write on paper and illustrations Presenter – present to rest of class Task Master – keeping group on task
Voltaire French Philosopher Believed in
Individual/Civil Liberties
Was opposed to organized religions criticizing other faiths and practitioners
Jean Jacques Rousseau Swiss Philosopher,
1712- 1778 Believed humans
were naturally good and corrupted by society, not the other way around (as Hobbes believed)
The Social Contract: published 1762 Believed that the
people are the source of government powers
Believed if government did not do its job people had the right to remove leaders, rebel
Montesquieu 1689-1755 French Philosopher Believed
government’s power needs to be checked
Montesquieu believed.. Monarchies: ruled by a king/queen
guided by honor
Republics: ruled by elected officials guided by virtue
Despotisms: ruled by absolute dictators guided by fear
Montesquieu’s Enlightened Idea Separation of
Powers Believed power in
government had to be divided amongst different branches
Believed checks and balances are necessary to keep one branch from becoming too powerful
Montesquieu’s Separation of Powers
John Locke British
Philosopher, 1632-1704
Believed all people were
born with 3 natural rights
(Life, Liberty, Property)
Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797 British philosopher, author, and feminist 1792 wrote A
Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Argued that men and women should be treated as equal beings
Argued that social order should be determined by reason (usefulness) not by gender, race, wealth, etc.
Dennis Diderot French Philosopher, 1751-1772 Published Encyclopedia, or Classified
Dictionary of the Science, Arts, and Trade. Attacked superstition and called for
political changes Many copies spread enlightenment
ideologies (ideas) through Europe
Adam Smith Scottish Philosopher Argued that
individuals were free to pursue their economic self- interest The state
(government) should not interrupt the free play of economics by imposing regulations
Laisse-Faire: the let people do what they want
Known for his work The Wealth of Nations Argued the law of
supply and demand would regulate the economy
3 roles of government: protecting society from invasion (army); keeping up public works (roads, canals, etc.); defending injustices (police)
World-Wide Influences Many of the United States' Founding Fathers
were heavily influenced by Enlightenment-era ideas:(1600s-1800s) particularly in the religious sphere
(separation of church and state) And in the political sphere (a major influence
on the U.S. Bill of Rights
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