THETHEAGE of REASONAGE of REASON

and and ENLIGHTENMENENLIGHTENMEN

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Warm-Up Warm-Up

List and explain (3) Natural Rights List and explain (3) Natural Rights that you and your partner believe that you and your partner believe you inherit when you are born:you inherit when you are born:

1.1. 2.2. 3. 3.

The Age of Reason and The Age of Reason and EnlightenmentEnlightenment

The Age of Reason and Enlightenment contributed to a shift in political thought. Philosophers questioned the “state” and “monarchy” with the new found power of reason. Their ideals included equality, tolerance and governance based on the consent of the people. Enlightenment ideals laid the intellectual foundation for political revolutions such as, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Glorious Revolution and revolutions in Latin America.

ENLIGHTENMENENLIGHTENMENTT

The Enlightenment is based upon the view that The Enlightenment is based upon the view that modern science. As a result it spawned an era of modern science. As a result it spawned an era of free-thinking individualism.free-thinking individualism.

New philosophies dealt with government, New philosophies dealt with government, religion, & relationships between people. People religion, & relationships between people. People began to look for laws to govern human behavior began to look for laws to govern human behavior and and most believed that the government’s power most believed that the government’s power should come from the consent of theshould come from the consent of the governed.governed.

Science and Science and EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Science and Science and EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Scientific Revolution promoted Scientific Revolution promoted application of reason and the application of reason and the scientific method to all aspects scientific method to all aspects of society including of society including government.government.

#1 What role, if any, does Science play in government today?

PhilosophesPhilosophes Philosophes opposed Philosophes opposed divine right to ruledivine right to rule, ,

absolute monarchies & the privileges of absolute monarchies & the privileges of nobility & clergy. Philosophers had NO nobility & clergy. Philosophers had NO traditional religious values (they were traditional religious values (they were against organized religious institutions) – against organized religious institutions) – most were atheist.most were atheist.

Enlightenment BeliefsEnlightenment Beliefs Oppressive governments can be reformed Oppressive governments can be reformed

or overthrown. or overthrown. – who said it?– who said it? Social inequality can be alleviatedSocial inequality can be alleviated and, and,

maybe, overcome. maybe, overcome. Disease isDisease is not to be accepted stoically but not to be accepted stoically but

to be to be fought with new medicines. fought with new medicines. – who is – who is creating it?creating it?

Ignorance can be overcome through Ignorance can be overcome through universal public education. universal public education.

There is no limit to what human There is no limit to what human reason can achieve. reason can achieve.

POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES OF ENLIGHTENED OF ENLIGHTENED

THINKERSTHINKERS

POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES OF ENLIGHTENED OF ENLIGHTENED

THINKERSTHINKERSMany of the thinkers of the Many of the thinkers of the Enlightenment worked to change the Enlightenment worked to change the way governments operated. This way governments operated. This influenced some aristocratic rulers influenced some aristocratic rulers to govern as to govern as absolute monarchsabsolute monarchs and and others as others as “enlightened” monarchs.“enlightened” monarchs.

# 2 Do you think the Enlightenment ideas might have an impact on the way Absolute Monarchs governed?

JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704)JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704) An English philosopher and physician, he An English philosopher and physician, he

believed that people have the natural ability believed that people have the natural ability to govern their own affairs and look after to govern their own affairs and look after the welfare of society; endowed with the welfare of society; endowed with the the natural rights of lifenatural rights of life, , liberty and propertyliberty and property; ; people can overthrow a government that people can overthrow a government that does not protect these rightsdoes not protect these rights. .

#3 According to Locke, can we as United States citizens overthrow our government if we feel it is not protecting our rights?

THOMAS HOBBES (1588-THOMAS HOBBES (1588-1679)1679)

He developed – He developed – social contract theorysocial contract theory – people – people create government and give up some of their create government and give up some of their rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law and rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law and order – i.e. absolute monarchy. order – i.e. absolute monarchy. Wrote the “Wrote the “Leviathan” –Leviathan” – (1651) (1651) states the states the people shouldpeople should establish trustestablish trust or a “Contract” or a “Contract” with the government to keep peace and create with the government to keep peace and create stability.stability.

#4 Do we have this kind of trust in our government today? Why or why not?

What exactly is a What exactly is a Leviathan?Leviathan?

It is referred to as:It is referred to as:a monster/giant/destructive animal a monster/giant/destructive animal etc. who brings on force or etc. who brings on force or destructive behavior. destructive behavior.

To make peace with the giant To make peace with the giant is to create stability!!is to create stability!!

MONTESQUIEU (France - 1689-MONTESQUIEU (France - 1689-1755)1755)

French social commentator and political French social commentator and political thinker, he believed thinker, he believed power should be balanced power should be balanced between three branches of officials (separation between three branches of officials (separation of powersof powers)– three branches of government and )– three branches of government and checks and balanceschecks and balances on these powers and that on these powers and that people must be guarded from corrupt leaderspeople must be guarded from corrupt leaders

#5 Why was the creation of separation of powers so important in the United States?

ROUSSEAU (1712-1778)ROUSSEAU (1712-1778)From Geneva Switzerland, Rousseau believed From Geneva Switzerland, Rousseau believed the general will, usually defined as the the general will, usually defined as the majority, majority, should determine the laws of the nation.should determine the laws of the nation. Individual freedoms should be protected by Individual freedoms should be protected by these laws. these laws. EducationEducation carries great importance. carries great importance.

ROUSSEAU ROUSSEAU Wrote “The Social Contract”, Wrote “The Social Contract”, 1763 – give the power to the 1763 – give the power to the people.people. The legislative power The legislative power belongs to the peoplebelongs to the people, and , and can belong to it alone.can belong to it alone.

The The Social ContractSocial Contract helped helped inspire political reforms or inspire political reforms or

revolutions revolutions in Europe, in Europe, especially in France. especially in France.

# 6. Analyze the following quote by Rousseau and

discuss with your partner.

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

John Calvin (1509 – 1564)John Calvin (1509 – 1564) French theologian and French theologian and

pastor, pastor, he believed he believed government and government and religion should be religion should be interrelated;interrelated; divinity divinity and worship should be and worship should be applied to applied to uphold the uphold the laws of man. laws of man. (Calvinism)(Calvinism)

#7 Why would U.S. #7 Why would U.S. citizens struggle with citizens struggle with Calvin’s idea of politics Calvin’s idea of politics and religion?and religion?#9 In the U.S. our government must show neither

official approval nor disapproval of religion, or favor one religion over another. With your partner explain what this means.

Jefferson was an American Founding Father, Jefferson was an American Founding Father, the the principal author of the Declaration of principal author of the Declaration of IndependenceIndependence (1776) and the third (1776) and the third President of the United States (1801–1809) President of the United States (1801–1809)

He and our Founding Fathers believed that He and our Founding Fathers believed that people are born with certain God-given people are born with certain God-given rights that cannot be taken away; people rights that cannot be taken away; people have the right to rebel against an unjust have the right to rebel against an unjust ruler.ruler.

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826)

#8 If you had to give up one of your unalienable natural rights guaranteed by the US Constitution which one would you be willing to sacrifice?

KEY PERSONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY SHIFTED KEY PERSONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY SHIFTED POLITICAL THOUGHTPOLITICAL THOUGHT

Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft – (27 April 1759 – 10 – (27 April 1759 – 10 September 1797) was an eighteenth-century September 1797) was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and British writer, philosopher, and advocate of advocate of women's rights.women's rights. she argues that women are she argues that women are notnot naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education.because they lack education. She suggests that She suggests that both men and women should be treated the both men and women should be treated the same.same.

#9 When did women finally receive suffrageIn the United States? Google: Women’s Right to Vote…Which amendment is it and when was it created? Why did it take so long?

KEY PERSONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY KEY PERSONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY SHIFTED POLITICAL THOUGHTSHIFTED POLITICAL THOUGHT

William WilberforceWilliam Wilberforce (24 August 1759 – 29 July (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) British politician who successfully 1833) British politician who successfully led the led the movement to abolish slavery in Great Britain In movement to abolish slavery in Great Britain In 1807, the Slave Trade Act of 1807 led to the end 1807, the Slave Trade Act of 1807 led to the end of the African slave trade.of the African slave trade. Shortly before his Shortly before his death in 1833, Parliament passed the Slavery death in 1833, Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 that ended slavery in most Abolition Act of 1833 that ended slavery in most of the British Empire.of the British Empire.

KEY PERSONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY KEY PERSONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY SHIFTED POLITICAL THOUGHTSHIFTED POLITICAL THOUGHT

Simon BolivarSimon Bolivar (24 July (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830), 1783 – 17 December 1830), was a was a Venezuelan military Venezuelan military and political leader.and political leader. Bolívar Bolívar played a key role in played a key role in Hispanic America's Hispanic America's successful struggle for successful struggle for independence from the independence from the Spanish Empire.Spanish Empire. Bolivia was Bolivia was named after him.named after him.

HOW THE ENLIGHTENMENT HOW THE ENLIGHTENMENT SPREADSPREAD

Diderot's EncyclopediaDiderot's Encyclopedia The The ideas of Enlightenment ideas of Enlightenment

reached a much wider reached a much wider audience with the writing of audience with the writing of Denis Diderot's Denis Diderot's Encyclopedia.Encyclopedia. The The encyclopedia gathered all the encyclopedia gathered all the most current ideas about most current ideas about music, art, writing, music, art, writing, philosophy, government and philosophy, government and science.science. The first volumes of The first volumes of the Encyclopedia were the Encyclopedia were published in 1751. published in 1751.

HOW THE ENLIGHTENMENT HOW THE ENLIGHTENMENT SPREADSPREAD

Newspapers and Newspapers and PamphletsPamphlets

The thinkers The thinkers responsible for the responsible for the Enlightenment ideas Enlightenment ideas considered themselves considered themselves part of an intellectual part of an intellectual community. They community. They produced printed produced printed materials in such materials in such quantity that the new quantity that the new ideas spread quickly ideas spread quickly from the wealthy to from the wealthy to the middle class.the middle class.

Impact of the Impact of the EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Belief in progress through Belief in progress through social social equalityequality and and improvements in improvements in educationeducation

More secular outlook that More secular outlook that questioned religious beliefs and questioned religious beliefs and teachings of the churchteachings of the church

Importance of the individual:Importance of the individual: as as people turned away from the people turned away from the church, they looked towards church, they looked towards themselves themselves for guidancefor guidance

Inspiration for the American and Inspiration for the American and French RevolutionsFrench Revolutions#10 How did the Enlightenment #10 How did the Enlightenment

influence political revolutions?influence political revolutions?

Influence of the Enlightenment on Influence of the Enlightenment on Abstract Concepts on Political Abstract Concepts on Political

RevolutionsRevolutions Separation of powersSeparation of powers and and Checks and Checks and

balancesbalances LibertyLiberty and and EqualityEquality Democracy Democracy andand Human rights Human rights Popular sovereignty- Popular sovereignty- political power rests political power rests

with the people who can create, alter, or with the people who can create, alter, or abolish government.abolish government.

ConstitutionalismConstitutionalism – – the idea that the basic the idea that the basic principles and laws of a government should principles and laws of a government should be organized and administeredbe organized and administered

NationalismNationalism – – devotion to the interests or devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation; the belief that culture of one's nation; the belief that nations nations will benefit from acting independentlywill benefit from acting independently

IMPACT OF ELIGHTENMENT IMPACT OF ELIGHTENMENT POLITICAL AND LEGAL IDEAS FROM POLITICAL AND LEGAL IDEAS FROM

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTSHISTORICAL DOCUMENTS English Bill of RightsEnglish Bill of Rights

Limitations on absolute Limitations on absolute monarch!!monarch!!

No levying of taxes No levying of taxes without Parliament’s without Parliament’s consentconsent

No suspension of freedom No suspension of freedom of speech in Parliamentof speech in Parliament

Citizens have right to Citizens have right to petition king with petition king with grievancesgrievances

#11 Explain how enlightenment ideas can cause people to revolt against their country?

IMPACT OF ELIGHTENMENT POLITICAL IMPACT OF ELIGHTENMENT POLITICAL AND LEGAL IDEAS FROM HISTORICAL AND LEGAL IDEAS FROM HISTORICAL

DOCUMENTSDOCUMENTS Declaration of the Declaration of the

Rights of Man and of Rights of Man and of the Citizenthe Citizen Men are born and Men are born and

remain free and equal remain free and equal in rights that include in rights that include liberty, property, liberty, property, security, and freedom security, and freedom from oppressionfrom oppression

Governments preserve Governments preserve these rightsthese rights

Freedom of religion, Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of speech, equal justice to all equal justice to all citizenscitizens

Life, Liberty, and Life, Liberty, and FraternityFraternity

#12 The Declaration of Rights of Man in France derives some of its ideas from our Declaration of Independence? How are they similar?

•Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

•Unalienable rights – Unalienable rights – life, liberty, the pursuit life, liberty, the pursuit of happinessof happiness•People have the right to People have the right to change or abolish a change or abolish a government that does government that does not protect their rightsnot protect their rights

HOW PEOPLE CAN SUPPORT OR HOW PEOPLE CAN SUPPORT OR

CHANGE THEIR GOVERNMENTCHANGE THEIR GOVERNMENT Support:Support:

VotingVoting Registering others to voteRegistering others to vote Paying taxesPaying taxes Recruitment to the militaryRecruitment to the military

Change:Change: Revolution: United States, France, Glorious Revolution Revolution: United States, France, Glorious Revolution

in England, Spanish colonies in Latin America, Russia in England, Spanish colonies in Latin America, Russia

#13 Thinking of World Events such as the #13 Thinking of World Events such as the Arab Spring (revolutions taking place in Arab Spring (revolutions taking place in Northern Africa and the Middle East), list (5) Northern Africa and the Middle East), list (5) reasons why is it important for people to have reasons why is it important for people to have a voice in government?a voice in government?

By December 2013, rulers have been forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt (twice), Libya, and Yemen Civil uprisings have erupted in (2 areas) Bahrain and Syria Major protests have broken out in (6 areas) Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco and SudanMinor protests have occurred in (7 areas) Mauritania, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Western Sahara, and the Palestinian territories.

Nationalist Movement- Iraq got to vote! – very similar to our voting stickers.