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