Aim/Goal: How did the Ideas of the Enlightenment influence a revolution

in America?Homework: Read excerpts from the Declaration of Independence

and answer the questions in full sentences:1. Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence) was

considered to be a “man of the Enlightenment” Which parts of the Declaration of Independence were inspired by the ideas of the

Enlightenment?2. Based on the reading, where specifically do you see evidence that

Jefferson used the political theories and ideas of John Locke?3. Is the Declaration of Independence any less special because it’s not

entirely original? Explain your answer

Do Now: Do you believe that people are born

good (naturally good) or bad? Answer in a few sentences.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT Occurred Between 1650 -1789

Thinkers believed reason could be used to find out the laws that run human life

Once the laws were known people could make society better

Believed that reason was a much better guide than faith or tradition

Reason is the “light” that reveals human error and showed the way to truth

• What society worked best?• Why were laws unfair?• How did the universe operate?• Was there a God?• Was the Earth really 4,000 years old?• Were their natural laws that

governed people?• Who had the power to rule?• How did the human mind work?

What did the Philosophers hate?

• Absolute Monarchs• Land Owning Nobles• The Catholic Churches abuse of power

18th Century Politics► BRITAIN – Constitutional Monarchy

► FRANCE Royal Absolutism

► PRUSSIA, HABSBURG EMPIRE, RUSSIA “Enlightened Despotism”

► OTTOMAN EMPIRE – traditional empire

What aided the Enlightenment?

• Printing Press• Exploration• Skepticism: to be doubtful; disbelief

The “Enlightened” Individual

The Philosophe

► Not really original thinkers as a whole, but were great publicists of the new thinking CHANGE & PROGRESS!

► They were students of society who analyzed its evils and advanced reforms.

• Natural Law – law that applied to everyone and could be understood by reason

• Thinkers tried to apply reason and scientific ideas to government

French Philosophes

• Thinkers, writers, clergymen, and nobles– Self-appointed social critics– Believed their duty was to think & question– Content on shaping public opinion– Attacked the Ancien Regime – yearn to

replace it

• Meetings held in large rooms in wealthy mansion of women in France

• Artists, writers, philosophers, & other intellects met to discuss and share ideas

• Started in the home of Madame Geoffrin

Madame was not well educated but in close contact with philosophers & heads of state

ENGLISH THINKERS

THOMAS HOBBES

VS.

Leviathian vs. Two Treatise on Gov’t

VS.

• English Philosopher• Inspired by the Glorious Revolution• 1690 – published Two Treatises on Government• All people had 3 natural rights – life, liberty, & property• People are born with a “tabula rasa” or clean slate. • Purpose of gov’t is to serve the people – people have the

right to overthrow the gov’t if it is not serving its purpose• Social Contract – agreement between ruler & people• People learn from their experiences and improve

themselves

• English Philosopher• Influenced by the English Civil War• 1651 – Published Leviathan (Sea Monster)• Argued that natural law made absolute

monarchy the best form of gov’t• Humans were natural selfish and violent• People couldn’t make their own decisions• If they did life would be “nasty, brutish, and

short”• Only a strong ruler (Leviathan) could give

people direction

JOHN LOCKE’S IDEAS WERE USED BY THOMAS JEFFERSON WHEN WRITING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The American “Philosophes”

John Adams(1745-1826)

Ben Franklin(1706-1790)

ThomasJefferson(1743-1826)

…...…life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…

• Inspired by the Glorious Revolution & John Locke

• French Philosopher• 1748 – published – Spirit of Laws• Separation of Power – equal divide

power among the 3 Branches of gov’t

• By separating these powers, gov’t could not become too powerful

Montesquieu’s 3 branches in Action

• French Philosopher• 1762 – published Social Contract• Gov’t should be based on a Social Contract• Everyone must agree to be governed by the

general will• Humans being were naturally good but corrupted

by society• People should pay more attention to emotions &

feelings instead of new ideas –seek a balance – Anti Reason

• Francois-Marie Arouet – known as Voltaire

• French Philosopher• Wrote many novels, plays, letters, &

essays that brought him fame• Strong dislike of Catholic Church• Blame the church for keeping

knowledge from people to keep its power

• Freedom of Religion• Natural Law runs the world

Why should we care?• Because Thomas Jefferson

totally ripped off of these guys! You remember that little paper he wrote? It was called The Declaration of Independence and signed on July 4, 1776. This paper summarized how the Enlightenment ideas influenced our American forefathers (Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, James Madison).

Enlightenment Ideas in America

• Natural Rights –life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

• Separation of Power – legislative, judicial, & executive branches

• Social Contract• Religious Freedom• Purpose of Gov’t to serve the people• System of Checks and Balances

IMPACT ON SOCIETY INSPIRED REVOLUTIONS IN AMERICAN & FRANCE

PEOPLE BEGAN TO LOOK AT THEMSELVES FOR GUIDANCE AND REASON

LEADERS LOOKED TO PHILOSOPHERS FOR ANSWERS CONCERNING GOVERNMENT

MUSIC AND ART WAS NO LONGER CENTERED ON RELIGION

QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY

1. A clean slate2. An agreement between ruler & people3. Law that applied to everyone4. Earth centered universe5. Sun centered universe6. Anti-church teachings7. A plan of government either written or

unwritten8. English representative body responsible for

making laws9. System of government in which a small group

of people rule10. To be exiled or thrown out of a group or

church