The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

““Age of Reason”Age of Reason”

Learning ObjectiveLearning ObjectiveDay 1Day 1

► Students will be Students will be able to define the able to define the Enlightenment and Enlightenment and key vocabulary, and key vocabulary, and identify the identify the historical roots of historical roots of this time period.this time period.

Key VocabularyKey Vocabulary► EnlightenmentEnlightenment: a period during the 1600s : a period during the 1600s

and 1700s in which educated Europeans and 1700s in which educated Europeans changed their outlook on life by seeing changed their outlook on life by seeing reason as the key to human progress.reason as the key to human progress.

► Age of ReasonAge of Reason: another name for the : another name for the EnlightenmentEnlightenment

► SalonsSalons: in France, a simple meeting of : in France, a simple meeting of philosophers to discuss ideas during the philosophers to discuss ideas during the Enlightenment Enlightenment

► PhilosopherPhilosopher: a scholar or thinker: a scholar or thinker► ReasonReason: Using logical thinking, not : Using logical thinking, not

superstitionsuperstition

Roots of the EnlightenmentRoots of the Enlightenment►The Enlightenment grew out of the The Enlightenment grew out of the

Renaissance, Reformation, and the Renaissance, Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution. Scientific Revolution.

►What’s the sameWhat’s the same?: Like all of these ?: Like all of these other movements, much Enlightenment other movements, much Enlightenment thinking thinking challenged accepted beliefschallenged accepted beliefs. .

►What’s newWhat’s new?: Enlightenment ?: Enlightenment philosophers wanted to use the ideas philosophers wanted to use the ideas and and reasonreason of the Scientific Revolution of the Scientific Revolution for problems in for problems in government and government and societysociety..

Think/Pair/Share

• In what ways are the periods of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution similar to the Enlightenment?

• A’s share with B’s• B’s share with A’s• I will now choose someone to explain to

the class.• Ans: They are similar because they all

challenged accepted beliefs.

Think/Pair/Share

• In what new areas did Enlightenment philosophers want to use reason?

• B’s share with A’s

• A’s share with B’s

• I will now choose someone to explain to the class.

• Ans: They wanted to use reason for problems in government and society.

Light out of the DarknessLight out of the Darkness

►A Frenchman, Bernard de Fontenelle, A Frenchman, Bernard de Fontenelle, expressed this optimistic faith in expressed this optimistic faith in reason and progress. In 1702, he reason and progress. In 1702, he wrote that the new century “will wrote that the new century “will become more enlightened day by day, become more enlightened day by day, so that all previous centuries will be so that all previous centuries will be lost in darkness by comparison.”lost in darkness by comparison.”

The SalonsThe Salons

► In France, thinkers called In France, thinkers called philosophesphilosophes (French for “philosophers”) championed the (French for “philosophers”) championed the idea of reason in government.idea of reason in government.

► Philosophers often gathered in informal Philosophers often gathered in informal meetings, called meetings, called salonssalons. There they . There they exchanged and debated ideas for hours.exchanged and debated ideas for hours.

► Many salons were organized by women. Many salons were organized by women. Gatherings like these helped to shape and Gatherings like these helped to shape and spread the ideas of the Enlightenment.spread the ideas of the Enlightenment.

► Think/Pair/Share: Describe the purpose of a Think/Pair/Share: Describe the purpose of a salon.salon.

Why is this important?Why is this important?

► Many of our own ideas Many of our own ideas about government, such about government, such as the Declaration of as the Declaration of Independence and the Independence and the American Constitution American Constitution got their ideas directly got their ideas directly from the Enlightenment.from the Enlightenment.

► In fact, many of In fact, many of America’s founding America’s founding fathers studied the fathers studied the ideas of the ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers Enlightenment thinkers during the American during the American Revolution.Revolution. Left to right: Benjamin Franklin, John

Adams, Thomas Jefferson

Whiteboard

• Which of these was greatly influenced by the Enlightenment?

A. The mandate of Heaven

B. The Magna Carta

C. The Catholic Church

D. The American Revolution

Whiteboard

• Which of these was greatly influenced by the Enlightenment?

D. The American Revolution

What a concept!What a concept!

► Enlightenment Enlightenment thinkers rejected thinkers rejected authority and upheld authority and upheld the freedom of the freedom of individuals to think individuals to think for themselves.for themselves.

► Rene Descartes: “I Rene Descartes: “I think, therefore I think, therefore I am.”am.”

Enlightenment and Enlightenment and GovernmentGovernment

► Enlightenment thinkers criticized accepted Enlightenment thinkers criticized accepted ideas about government. Some questioned the ideas about government. Some questioned the medieval belief in the medieval belief in the divine right of kingsdivine right of kings [the idea that God chose a country’s king, and [the idea that God chose a country’s king, and that the king got his authority from God.]that the king got his authority from God.]

► Many Enlightenment thinkers stressed Many Enlightenment thinkers stressed individual rights that governments must individual rights that governments must respect.respect.

► Enlightenment thinkers also felt that people Enlightenment thinkers also felt that people should have a say in their government.should have a say in their government.

Whiteboard

• What old, medieval concept about government did Enlightenment thinkers reject?

• Divine Right of Kings

• Name one thing they did believe about government:

• Possible answers: Individual rights, people having a say in government.

Enlightenment and ReligionEnlightenment and Religion

►Enlightenment thinkers believed Enlightenment thinkers believed humans were capable of discovering humans were capable of discovering truth for themselves.truth for themselves.

►Many believed in an all powerful deity Many believed in an all powerful deity (or God), but not in a specific church (or God), but not in a specific church or holy book. Some called themselves or holy book. Some called themselves Deists [Dee-ists].Deists [Dee-ists].

►Right and Wrong should be based on Right and Wrong should be based on rational insight.rational insight.

Whiteboard

• In what way was the Enlightenment similar to the Scientific Revolution?A. BOTH focused on government and society

B. BOTH highly valued reason and observation.

C. BOTH denied the existence of God.

D. BOTH were unimportant.

Whiteboard

• In what way was the Enlightenment similar to the Scientific Revolution?

B. BOTH highly valued reason and observation.

Whiteboard closing questions

• What is another name for Enlightenment?• Age of Reason• Where would people meet to discuss ideas during the

Enlightenment?• A salon • What is the period during the 1600s and 1700s in which

educated Europeans changed their outlook on life by seeing reason as the key to human progress?

• The Enlightenment• The Enlightenment took the reason of the Scientific

Revolution and used it for_________• Government

Learning ObjectiveLearning ObjectiveDays 2-4Days 2-4

► Students will be Students will be able to describe the able to describe the ideas of major ideas of major Enlightenment Enlightenment thinkers.thinkers.

► Fill out the chart as Fill out the chart as the presentation the presentation progresses.progresses.

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes

► Hobbes believed people are Hobbes believed people are naturally selfish, cruel, and naturally selfish, cruel, and greedy.greedy.

► In 1651, he published a book In 1651, he published a book called called LeviathanLeviathan. In this book, he . In this book, he wrote that people are driven by a wrote that people are driven by a restless desire for power. restless desire for power.

► Without laws, people would Without laws, people would always be in conflict.always be in conflict.

► In such a “state of nature”, life In such a “state of nature”, life would be “nasty, brutish, and would be “nasty, brutish, and short.”short.”

► His ideaHis idea: Governments were : Governments were created to protect people from created to protect people from their own selfishness.their own selfishness.

Hobbes continued….Hobbes continued….

►Later Enlightenment thinkers might Later Enlightenment thinkers might not have agreed with Hobbes…not have agreed with Hobbes…

►But, he was important because he was But, he was important because he was one of the first thinkers to apply one of the first thinkers to apply reason to the problem of politicsreason to the problem of politics

►His ideas may sound harsh, but it was His ideas may sound harsh, but it was based on his own observations of based on his own observations of human nature and reasoning.human nature and reasoning.

Think/Pair/Share

• Hobbes’ ideas are based on the idea that people are naturally selfish. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

• What does Hobbes mean when he said that if there was no government, life would be “nasty, brutish, and short.”?

• Do you agree with this idea? Tell your partner why or why not. Be prepared to share your answer with the class.

Add these definitions to your Add these definitions to your vocabulary listvocabulary list

► Social ContractSocial Contract: an agreement between : an agreement between people and their government, in which people and their government, in which people give up some things in return for the people give up some things in return for the benefit of having government.benefit of having government.

► Natural rightsNatural rights: rights that people have : rights that people have simply for being human.simply for being human.

► Bill of rightsBill of rights: a list of basic rights a : a list of basic rights a government must protect.government must protect.

► Constitutional MonarchyConstitutional Monarchy: a form of : a form of government in which the king’s power is government in which the king’s power is limited by a basic set of laws, or limited by a basic set of laws, or Constitution.Constitution.

Think/Pair/Share

• Look at the definition for natural rights. With your partner, list as many rights as you can think of on your whiteboards that you believe people have just for being human.

John Locke: Social Contract and John Locke: Social Contract and Natural RightsNatural Rights

► He wrote Two Treatises of Government in 1690.

► He believed the purpose of government was to protect people’s natural rights. He said government should protect,” his life, liberty, and property—against the injuries and attempts of other men.”

► His idea: The true basis of government was a social contract between people and their government. If the government didn’t respect people’s rights, it could be overthrown.

John Locke: Social Contract and John Locke: Social Contract and Natural RightsNatural Rights

►In exchange protection, people gave government the power to rule on their behalf. We call this idea the “consent of the governed.”

►Lasting Impact: Lasting Impact: the idea that government could be overthrown if it failed to respect people’s rights had wide influence and was ultimately echoed in the American Declaration of Independence.

Locke’s ideas in EnglandLocke’s ideas in England

►Locke was in favor of constitutional monarchies. This meant laws or a constitution limited the power of the monarchs (or kings).

►In 1689, the English set down a new set of rules called the English Bill of Rights. This strengthened the power of the people and their representatives in Parliament (an English congress.)

Whiteboard

• The following ideas come from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Which most closely relates to the work of John Locke?

• A. speedy and public trial • B. innocent until proven guilty • C. life, liberty and the pursuit of

happiness • D. Freedom of speech and the press

Whiteboard

• The following ideas come from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Which most closely relates to the work of John Locke?

• C. life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Whiteboard

• Approved in 1689, the new set of rights for Parliament and the English people were set down in the

• A. Magna Carta • B. Orders of Parliament • C. Laws of William & Mary• D. English Bill of Rights

Whiteboard

• Approved in 1689, the new set of rights for Parliament and the English people were set down in the

D. English Bill of Rights

Montesquieu: Separation of Montesquieu: Separation of PowersPowers

► Like Locke, Montesquieu was concerned Like Locke, Montesquieu was concerned with how to protect liberty from a bad with how to protect liberty from a bad government.government.

► He Wrote He Wrote The Spirit of LawsThe Spirit of Laws in 1748. In this in 1748. In this book, he described how governments should book, he described how governments should be organized. be organized.

► His idea: The His idea: The separation of powersseparation of powers: By : By dividing different powers among more than dividing different powers among more than one branch of government, no one group in one branch of government, no one group in the government could grow too powerful.the government could grow too powerful.

Montesquieu continued….Montesquieu continued….

► Each branch of government checked the other Each branch of government checked the other branches. When powers were not separated branches. When powers were not separated this way, Montesquieu warned, liberty was this way, Montesquieu warned, liberty was soon lost. soon lost. He said: “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person…, there can be no liberty.”

► Lasting Impact: He greatly influenced the men who wrote the U.S. Constitution. We now have a separate legislative (Congress), judicial (courts), and executive (President) branch.

Whiteboard

If Baron de Montesquieu were to visit the United States today, he might be most pleased to see the

• A. Bill of Rights. • B. Three branches of government. • C. Government-run tax system. • D. Declaration of Independence.

Whiteboard

If Baron de Montesquieu were to visit the United States today, he might be most pleased to see the

• B. Three branches of government.

Whiteboard Closing Questions• What is it called when the people give up certain powers in return

for the benefits of government?• A social contract• What are rights that you have simply for being human?• Natural rights• What did Locke say these natural rights included?• Life, Liberty, Property• When we split the powers of government among three branches,

what is this called?• Separation of Powers• Who came up with that idea?• Montesquieu• If the government becomes corrupt, what does Locke say to do?• Overthrow the government

Voltaire: Religious tolerance Voltaire: Religious tolerance and free speechand free speech

► Voltaire was an Enlightenment Voltaire was an Enlightenment writer.writer.

► His most famous novel was His most famous novel was CandideCandide, in which he poked fun , in which he poked fun at old religious ideas.at old religious ideas.

► Voltaire was especially Voltaire was especially concerned with freedom of concerned with freedom of thought and expression.thought and expression.

► His ideaHis idea: He had a strong : He had a strong belief in religious tolerance and belief in religious tolerance and free speech. free speech. ToleranceTolerance means the acceptance of means the acceptance of different beliefs and customs.different beliefs and customs.

Voltaire Continued…Voltaire Continued…

►Voltaire said, “I disapprove of what Voltaire said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”your right to say it.”

►Lasting ImpactLasting Impact: Voltaire met Benjamin : Voltaire met Benjamin Franklin, and when the U.S. Bill of Franklin, and when the U.S. Bill of Rights was written, the ideas of Rights was written, the ideas of freedom of religion and freedom of freedom of religion and freedom of speech were added to our 1speech were added to our 1stst amendment to the Constitution.amendment to the Constitution.

Think/Pair/Share

• What does Voltaire mean when he says, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”?

• Do you agree with Voltaire? Why or why not?

Whiteboard

• Which of the following statements would most likely have been made by Voltaire?

A. "The king needs absolute power."

B. "The government protects people's natural rights."

C. "We should do away with the death penalty."

D. "People must be free to speak their minds."

Whiteboard

• Which of the following statements would most likely have been made by Voltaire?

D. "People must be free to speak their minds."

Cesare Beccaria: The Rights of Cesare Beccaria: The Rights of the Accusedthe Accused

► In the Middle Ages, In the Middle Ages, torture of criminals torture of criminals was common. The was common. The rack was often used, rack was often used, as well as devices as well as devices like thumbscrews.like thumbscrews.

► Beccaria, an Italian, Beccaria, an Italian, wrote a book called wrote a book called On Crimes and On Crimes and Punishments Punishments in in which he argued which he argued against brutal against brutal punishments.punishments.

Beccaria continued….Beccaria continued….

► His ideasHis ideas: A person accused of a crime should : A person accused of a crime should receive a fair and speedy trial. Torture should receive a fair and speedy trial. Torture should never be used. Capital Punishment (death never be used. Capital Punishment (death sentences) should be done away with.sentences) should be done away with.

► “For a punishment to be just it, should consist of only such gradations of intensity as to suffice to deter men from committing crimes.” This means that “punishment should fit the crime” and not be more than necessary to stop someone else from doing it again.

Think/Pair/Share

• How were Beccaria’s ideas different from the usual ways of treating prisoners in the Middle Ages?

• What does the phrase, “the punishment should fit the crime,” mean to you?

• Do you think this is important? Why or why not?

Beccaria’s impactBeccaria’s impact

►Beccaria’s ideas were adopted straight Beccaria’s ideas were adopted straight into our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. In into our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. In fact our 8fact our 8thth amendment prevents amendment prevents “cruel and unusual punishment” for “cruel and unusual punishment” for crimes, and our 6crimes, and our 6thth amendment amendment provides for a speedy trial. (The only provides for a speedy trial. (The only exception is the Death Penalty, which exception is the Death Penalty, which we still have in the United States we still have in the United States today.)today.)

Whiteboard closing questions

• What freedoms did Voltaire want for the people?• Freedom of Religion and Speech• What types of punishments was Beccaria

against?• Torture and excessive punishment• Where can we see examples of Voltaire’s ideas

in America?• Bill of Rights, 1st ammendment• What idea of Beccaria’s did the U.S. NOT use?• Getting rid of the death penalty

Learning ObjectiveLearning Objective

► Students will be Students will be able to describe able to describe how democratic how democratic thoughts and thoughts and governments were governments were influenced by the influenced by the Enlightenment.Enlightenment.

Impact of the Enlightenment on Impact of the Enlightenment on GovernmentGovernment

►Modern views of government owe a Modern views of government owe a great deal to Enlightenment thinkers. great deal to Enlightenment thinkers. The Enlightenment influenced The Enlightenment influenced monarchsmonarchs in Europe, especially in Europe, especially ""enlightened despotsenlightened despots," and greatly ," and greatly affected revolutions in affected revolutions in AmericaAmerica and and FranceFrance..

Enlightened Rule by Enlightened Rule by MonarchsMonarchs

► DespotDespot: : a king or other ruler with absolute, a king or other ruler with absolute, unlimited powerunlimited power..

► The Enlightenment did not change Europe The Enlightenment did not change Europe overnight. Many countries still had kings. overnight. Many countries still had kings. Some of them became “enlightened Some of them became “enlightened despots” by using despots” by using enlightenment ideas in enlightenment ideas in their countriestheir countries..

► Examples: Some kings ended the use of Examples: Some kings ended the use of torturetorture, started , started universitiesuniversities, and used , and used religious religious tolerancetolerance. They wanted to keep . They wanted to keep the people happy without losing their power.the people happy without losing their power.

The American and French The American and French RevolutionsRevolutions

► Both America and France had revolutions Both America and France had revolutions overthrowing their kings. However, the overthrowing their kings. However, the revolution in France was revolution in France was much more violent.much more violent.

Whiteboard

• The Enlightenment led to revolutions in which two countries?

A. America and France

B. France and Ireland

C. England and Italy

D. America and Spain

Whiteboard

• The Enlightenment led to revolutions in which two countries?

A. America and France

The Enlightenment in The Enlightenment in AmericaAmerica

► Enlightenment ideas had a major influence Enlightenment ideas had a major influence on the leaders of the on the leaders of the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution. . English leaders in America shared with John English leaders in America shared with John Locke the traditions of the Locke the traditions of the Magna CartaMagna Carta and and the English the English Bill of Rights. Bill of Rights.

► When the Americans rebelled in When the Americans rebelled in 17751775, they , they pointed to the pointed to the abuseabuse of their of their rightsrights by the by the English king. English king.

► The Declaration of Independence echoed The Declaration of Independence echoed Locke’s ideas on Locke’s ideas on natural rightsnatural rights and the and the purposepurpose of government. of government.

““We the People”We the People”► Other Enlightenment Other Enlightenment

ideas can be seen in the ideas can be seen in the U.S. U.S. ConstitutionConstitution. . America’s basic law America’s basic law includes includes Montesquieu’sMontesquieu’s idea of separation of idea of separation of powers. powers.

► The The Bill of RightsBill of Rights protects the freedom of protects the freedom of religion and speech religion and speech championed by championed by VoltaireVoltaire. . It also includes some of It also includes some of the rights supported by the rights supported by BeccariaBeccaria, such as the , such as the right to a speedy trial.right to a speedy trial.

Think/Pair/Share

• Name two Enlightenment ideas that are included in our Declaration of Independence, Constitution or Bill of Rights.

• Which Enlightenment idea do you think is the most important for us to follow in America today? Why do you think that?

Enlightenment in FranceEnlightenment in France

► In In 17891789, revolution broke out in , revolution broke out in FranceFrance. The National Assembly . The National Assembly adopted the adopted the Declaration of Rights of Declaration of Rights of Man and CitizenMan and Citizen.. This document This document talked about liberty and talked about liberty and equalityequality. It . It upheld the rights to own upheld the rights to own propertyproperty, and , and freedom of speech and religion.freedom of speech and religion.

Violence of the French Violence of the French RevolutionRevolution

► Soon, however, terrible Soon, however, terrible violenceviolence erupted. erupted. Thousands of wealthy Thousands of wealthy Frenchmen and Frenchmen and members of the Royal members of the Royal family were family were beheadedbeheaded on the on the guillotineguillotine..

► Guillotine: Guillotine: a machine a machine that cut off people’s that cut off people’s heads by dropping a heads by dropping a sharp blade.sharp blade.

► The bloody chaos The bloody chaos brought a strange end brought a strange end to the Enlightenment to the Enlightenment dream based on reason.dream based on reason.

Learning ObjectiveLearning Objective

► Students will be Students will be able to list the able to list the contributions of contributions of women to the women to the Enlightenment.Enlightenment.

Women of the EnlightenmentWomen of the Enlightenment

►Several women, such as Madame Several women, such as Madame Geoffrin, Abigail Adams, Olympe de Geoffrin, Abigail Adams, Olympe de Gouges, and Mary Wollstonecraft, Gouges, and Mary Wollstonecraft, worked to extend ideas of liberty and worked to extend ideas of liberty and equality to women.equality to women.

►Once the ideas of the Enlightenment Once the ideas of the Enlightenment were expressed, women wanted these were expressed, women wanted these rights as well as men.rights as well as men.

Whiteboard

• What was at the heart of women’s contributions to the Enlightenment? A. They wanted the abolition of slavery

B. They wanted women to have the same rights as men

C. They wanted women to be absolute ruler

D. They wanted a separation of powers

Whiteboard

• What was at the heart of women’s contributions to the Enlightenment?

B. They wanted women to have the same rights as men

French Enlightenment French Enlightenment WomenWomen

► Madame Geoffrin used her home for many of Madame Geoffrin used her home for many of the salon meetings in France. She not only the salon meetings in France. She not only hosted the meetings, but often directed the hosted the meetings, but often directed the conversations and settled arguments.conversations and settled arguments.

► Olympe de Gouges published the female Olympe de Gouges published the female version of the document of the French version of the document of the French Revolution. She called it the Revolution. She called it the Declaration of Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen.the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen. She called for equality in all things. When she She called for equality in all things. When she spoke out against the bloodshed of the spoke out against the bloodshed of the French Revolution, they sent her to the French Revolution, they sent her to the guillotine.guillotine.

Think/ Pair/Share

• Who were the two famous French women of the Enlightenment?

Abigail AdamsAbigail Adams

► Wife to John Adams, Wife to John Adams, who was a leader of the who was a leader of the American Revolution American Revolution and later President.and later President.

► She reminded John not She reminded John not to forget women in the to forget women in the Revolution. Revolution. “Remember, all men “Remember, all men would be tyrannts if would be tyrannts if they could. If particular they could. If particular care and attention is care and attention is not paid to the Ladies, not paid to the Ladies, we are determined to we are determined to start a rebellion…we start a rebellion…we will not hold ourselves will not hold ourselves bound to any Laws in bound to any Laws in which we have no which we have no voice.”voice.”

Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft

► An English writer. In An English writer. In 1792, she argued that 1792, she argued that women deserved the women deserved the same rights and same rights and opportunities as men.opportunities as men.

► Wollstonecraft believed Wollstonecraft believed education was the key education was the key for women wanting for women wanting equality and freedom. equality and freedom. She inspired many later She inspired many later leaders of the women’s leaders of the women’s rights movement in rights movement in America.America.

Think/ Pair/Share

• List the contributions of Mary Wollstonecraft.