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The Enlightenment
The Age of Reason
The Age of Enlightenment An intellectual movement in from mid1600s -
1700s in Europe (mostly England & France) Enlightenment thinkers applied methods and
principles of the Scientific Revolution to issues of political, economic and social reform
Focused on the power and goodness of human rational thinking
Often referred to as “The Age of Reason” Mostly effected the urban middle classes and
aristocracy Enlightenment thinkers were known as
“philosophes”
Salons
Enlightenment Thinkers
HobbesLockeMontesquieuVoltaireRousseauDiderotWollstonecraftSmith
Thomas Hobbes Believed in the social
contract- people give up individual liberties in return for social order & protection
The natural condition of humans is one of continuous conflict and competition (war)
Supporter of absolute monarchy
Believed anarchy to be a state of nature.
Wrote Leviathan (1651) Said life is “solitary, poor,
nasty, brutish, and short”
Cover of Hobbes’ book Leviathan
John Locke Believed in “natural right
s”: Life, Liberty & Property
People form governments to protect their natural rights.
Government exists to protect those rights, & if it doesn’t, it should be overthrown.
Gov. should have limited power
Supporter of democracy
Baron de MontesquieuSeparation of
power into 3 branches of gov: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
His idea of “checks and balances” of each branch would influence the U.S. Constitution
Voltaire Strong supporter of freedom
of speech and religious toleration
Humans are liars, traitors, ingrates, thieves, misers, killers, fanatics, hypocrites, fools and so on. Yet, it’s normal.
Believed in separation of church and state
Satirist who wrote about the French monarchy, the nobility, and the church
Wrote the novel Candide Denied writings to avoid
trouble with French monarchy
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Argued that people are
born good, but are corrupted by society
Opposed strong govt. Govt. should be created
and controlled by the people (“popular sovereignty”)
Wrote The Social Contract (1762)
Denis DiderotCreated/ edited The
Encyclopedia– Taught people to think
critically– Solicited articles from
many experts– Controversial articles
brought criticism– Overall, moved forward
the ideas of The Enlightenment
Mary Wollstonecraft Early spokesperson for
women’s rights (early feminist)
Argued the ideals of equality should be extended to women as well as men.
Governments should extend political rights to women
Supported equal education for girls & boys
Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)
Adam Smith Scotish economist
considered the father of capitalism
Division of labor increases productivity and efficiency
Wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776) - Bible of capitalism
Individuals should be free to pursue wealth w/o gov. restrictions
People are motivated by self-interest
Theory of Supply and Demand
Key Ideas of The Enlightenment
Natural rights
Freedom of speech
Religious tolerance/limits on the church
Education for all
Attacked absolute monarchies
Results of The Enlightenment
Revolutions in the USA, France, and Haiti
New ideas about equality, freedoms and democracy
Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence
The US Constitution & Bill of Rights
Question #1
Q: What did Thomas Hobbes believe?
Question #2
What did John Locke believe were the three rights every person is naturally entitled to?
Question #3
How did Montesquieu influence the government of the U.S.?
Question #4
What did Adam Smith believe? Why was this important?
Question #5
Who was Mary Wollstonecraft? What did she propose during the Enlightenment?
Question #6
What was Denis Diderot responsible for during the Enlightenment? Why was this important?
Question #7
What was another term for an Enlightenment thinker?
Question #8
What was The Enlightenment?
Question #9
What were consequences of The Enlightenment?