Ideas of the Enlightenment

Weird dudes, amazing ideas

About the Enlightenment… 1700s. Mostly French & English thinkers Focused on 5 ideas: Reason, nature,

happiness, progress and liberty Built on ideas of the Scientific

Revolution, & applied reason and logic to politics & society!

? So is there a reason you’re in charge?

Montesquieu French Wrote of “Separation of

Powers,” saying that neither a president nor a Congress nor a court should hold all of the power.

…Our Federal system!

John Locke

English Wrote of “Natural Rights,” esp.

the rights to “life, liberty, & property.” If gov’t won’t protect, people should rebel.

… Declaration of Independence!

Voltaire

French “I may disagree with what you

say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

…1st Amendment!

Jean-Jacques Rousseau French Social Contract: Gov’t gets its power

from the PEOPLE not from GOD or WHO YOUR DAD IS. We give this power in return for PROTECTION.

… “We, the people …”

Challenges Enlightenment ideas didn’t sit well with

religious authorities or kings! Challenged idea that birthright or God’s

will granted legitimacy of power. Changed churches, which became

more democratic Changed governments…

Enlightenment in America Thomas Jefferson begins applying

Enlightenment ideas to Colonial government; calls for “liberty.”

Washington begins to stir for “liberty” Madison writes of a new birth of “liberty”

Enlightenment in other places French Revolution (1789): Focused on

political liberty. “Liberte, Fraternite, Equalite”

Simon Bolivar & Miguel Hidalgo lead S. American forces in fighting for liberty in Latin America

Enlightenment in life Ideas of freedom changed the view of

authority People questioned religious leaders People questioned political leaders People questioned business leaders

Adam Smith pioneers “laissez-faire” economics, in which gov’t keeps its ‘hands off’ the economy

Connections among the revolutions The French were inspired by success of the

American Revolution Latin American nations were inspired by the

success of the other two. Latin nations had esp. been kept down as

colonies, and had much more to fight for as far as “natural rights”

All stressed the role of private property ownership and a limited role for government

Great quotes "How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?” - Dr. Johnson (Eng)

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities” - Voltaire.