Enlightenment to revolution I. What is the “Enlightenment”?

A. Known as:

1. The age of Reason from the 1700 – late 1800’s.

2. Defined by Philosophe Kant as: “Humans departure from Immaturity”.

B. “Revolution in Thinking”

1. Humanism and Individualism at base: Philosophes focused on Humans social, economic and political problems.

Name some problems from the modern era in these areas:

Social:

Political:

Economic:

What problems do you think existed in these areas in the 1700 and 1800’s?

2. Natural Law: or rules discovered by reason that govern the natural world – such as the laws of gravity; are applied to studying human issues.

II. Philosophes (French word for philosophers) Arrive!

A. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke have differing views of people and government.

** Use page 183 with a partner to describe the differences and similarities for Hobbes and Locke:

B.

Hobbes Locke

-People are cruel, greedy, and selfish.

-If not controlled they will fight, rob, and oppress.

-“State of Nature” w/o laws would be brutish and short.

-Only Powerful gov. such as Absolute Monarchy can preserve order.

-Social Contract: give up freedom for an ordered society.

-Government and laws are necessary.

-People are reasonable and moral.

-Humans have “Natural Rights” possessed from birth: Life, Liberty, and Property.

-Governments exist to protect “Natural Rights”.

-Government should be limited and accepted by people.

-If government fails its obligations; it should be overthrown.

C. Other Philosophes lay out foundations for modern governments:

1. Montesquieu: Develops idea of “Separation of Powers” into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial to serve as a system of “Checks and Balances” so that no one branch becomes too strong.

2. Voltaire: Defends “Freedom of Thought” –was imprisoned and exiled for his writings from France: Continued to fight for what became known as “Freedom of Speech” by fighting the enemies of freedom such as ignorance, superstition, and intolerance.

3. Diderot : Publishes “Encyclopedia” – 28 volume set of books explaining ideas on government, philosophy, and religion. 4,000 copies were printed between 1751 and 1789. Their purpose was to “change the general way of thinking.” French Government called them immoral and the Pope threatened “excommunication” to anyone who read them.

Question: Who are Modern day Philosophes? People changing the way we think, learn, and see the world?

D. Women Challenge Philosophes: “free and equal” did not apply to women

1. Mary Wollstonecraft: well-known British critic; accepted women’s first duty as a mother, but felt women should be able to decide things in their own best interest.

2. She and others believed equal education is the key to equality.

III. “Physiocrats”(French thinkers focused on economic reforms) apply “Natural Laws” to economics:

A. Laissez Faire (Hands off)- Allow businesses to operate with little or no government interference.

B. Adam Smith writes “Wealth of Nations” proposing Free Market system regulated by survival of the fittest.

IV. Enlightenment affects Arts:

A. Art style move from Baroque (the ornate style of Louis XIV’s court filled with color and excitement) to Rococo art (lighter, elegant, and charming art to

encourage imagination).

B. Elegant style of music known as “classical” comes about with towering figures such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Handel, Franz Joseph Hayden, and Wofgang Amadeus Mozart.

C. The “Novel” takes shape: middle class readers like writings from their own times told in straightforward prose: Daniel Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe: about a

sailor shipwrecked on a desert island.

V. Enlightened Despots or absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change come on the scene.

A. Fredrick II; or “Fredrick the Great” (ruled from 1740-1786) of Prussia saw himself as a servant of the state, and supported works of Philosophes such as Voltaire.

1. Reduced the acts of torture and allowed “free press”.

2. Tolerated Religious differences – stating “everyone can go to heavan in their own fashion.

3. In the end he still supported Monarchy and absolutism.

B. Catherine the Great of Russia; read the works of the “Philosophers” and exchanged letters with Voltaire and Diderot.

1. Said the Philosophes battled “superstition, fanaticism, ignorance and trickery”.

3. Catherine abolished torture and established tolerance of religion in her lands.

4. In the end, she upheld absolutism in her lands.

C. Joseph II, emperor of Austria, and son of empress Maria Theresa, was an eager student of the enlightenment.

1. Supported religious equality for Protestants and Jews in his Catholic Empire.

2. Ended censorship, allowing for free press, and attempting to bring Catholic Church under royal control.

VI. Enlightenment Ideas Spread:

A. Enlightenment based from the Philosophes in France spreads through literature: i.e. Diderot’s Encyclopedia, books and pamphlets.

B. Since Middle Ages people accepted without question what society told them based on Divine Rule and Religion – Renaissance and Scientific Revolution changed the way people thought.

C. War of “Censorship”is waged by government and church authorities: felt they had a sacred duty to protect the “old order” (i.e. divine right, monarchy, church control).

1. To protect the old order they waged a war of “censorship” or restricting access to enlightenment ideas.

2. Banned and burned books and imprisoned writers and “Philosophes”.

3. To escape censorship, Philosophes wrote “fiction” books (i.e. Voltaire wrote “Candide” published in 1789; Candide travels across Europe, the Americas, and even the Middle East in search of “The best of all possible worlds”.

D. Enlightenment ideas spread in “Salons” or informal social gatherings where writers, artists, and philosphes exchanged ideas.

1. In private residences middle class citizens could meet on equal footing with nobility to discuss Enlightenment ideas.

2. Madame Goffrin brought together some of the most talented people of her age like Mozart and Didrot daily to discuss issues and entertain guests.

VII. Lives of the Majority change slowly:

A. Enlightenment ideas filtered down slowly to the masses in peasant villages.

B. Some sought to topple the old order, while others resisted change.

C. Incidents such as war and political upheaval would force change in the coming century.

Activity: Using pages 195 – 201; determine causes of American Revolution and Enlightenment Ideas associated with it!

American RevolutionCAUSES:

Evidence of Enlightenment Ideas:

OUTCOMES:

VIII. Revolution comes to American Colonies!

A. Britain is the predominant world power in the 1700’s.

1. English merchants and Navy controlled the worlds trade.

2. Britain was generally on the winning side in European conflicts (France ceeded Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; French and Indian War & 7 years war gave French Canada to Britain)

3. In 1707 England, Wales, and Scotland became the “United Kingdom of Great Britain.”

B. 13 Colonies express discontent.

1. The colonies were prosperous and part of Britain’s growing empire.

2. The colonies were diverse religiously and ethnically; which brought more free discussion of politics and life.

3. Britain taxed the colonies to help pay for its colonial expansion; (Sugar Act; import taxes – Stamp Act – taxes on press) – yet the colonies had no representation in the British government!

4. Colonies protested: “No taxation without representation!”

5. A series of violent clashes intensifies the colonists anger:

a. Boston Massacre: 1770 - British soldiers fire into a crowd pelting them with snowballs and stones.

b. Boston Tea Party: 1773 – Colonist hurl cargo of British Tea into the harbor to protest the tea tax.

C. Colonists Declare Independence; Revolutionary War Begins!

1. April 1775, tensions lead to skirmishes at Lexington and Concord; both British victories – embolden the Americans.

2. 1776 – leaders from the 13 colonies; headed by George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin; meet in Philadelphia and vote to declare Independence.

3. Thomas Jefferson authors “The Declaration of Independence.” based on Enlightenment principles!

D. Outcome of the Revolution:

1. Americans were down early due to poor finances; trouble recruiting and army, and no strategic plan.

2. Geography in the diverse continent proved an advantage.

3. France provides support – brought desperately needed supplies, training, and war ships.

4. French blockaded the Chesapeake Bay, and enabled Washington to force the surrender of the British army at Yorktown, Virginia.

5. With that defeat the British war effort crumbled.

6. Two years later in 1783, American, British, and French diplomats signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the War.

XIV. Enlightenment ideas have great impact; Revolution spreads to France!

A. France clings to old governmental system under Louis XVI.

1. Society divided into 3 “Estates”

a. First Estate: Clergy

b. Second Estate: Nobility

c. Third Estate: Everybody else

2. Nobles hold top government jobs; but burgeoisie (middle class) merchants control much of economy.

3. Financial crisis brings France to brink of destruction:

a. Louis XIV left France deeply in debt, lavish court at Versailles

b. Wars – “Seven Years War” and the American Revolution strained

treasury.

B. Louis XVI calls the “Estates General” – representative body of the three estates.

1. Members of the elected Third Estate; claiming to represent the people of France, declared themselves the National Assembly.

2. Locked out of their meeting hall by armed guards of the king; in June of 1789, members take “Tennis Court Oath” swearing to never separate until they have established a just Constitution.

3. Reform minded clergy and nobles joined the National Assembly.

4. King Louis XVI’s troops gathered in Paris to possibly occupy the capital.

C. Parisians Storm the Bastille- July 14, 1789!

1. Wary of the King’s troops presence in the capital, more than 800 Parisians assembled outside the Bastille, a grim medieval

fortress, and demanded weapons and gunpowder.

2. The Commander refused and opened fire on the crowd, the enraged mob broke through the defenses and killed the commander.

3. The Bastille was a symbol of the abuse of the monarchy.

4. The event (which has been celebrated since 1780 as France’s independence day) challenged the existence of the monarchy.

XV. French Revolution Unfolds

A. Political & Economic Crisis combine with worst famine in memory.

1. People spent 80% of income on bread.

2. Starving peasant farmers flocked to towns swelling the ranks of the unemployed.

B. “Great Fear” spread:

1. Rumors of Government troops seizing crops.

2. Inflamed by famine and fear peasants attacked and set fire to nobles manor.

C. The National Assembly Acts

1. Nobles vote to end their own privileges.

2. “Declaration of the Rights of Man” issued stating “All men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” (modeled after what document?)

3. Constitution of 1791 establishes new government with “limited monarchy” and a new Legislative Assembly to make laws, collect taxes.

D. Radicals declare war on Tyranny:

1. King Louis XVI, and wife Marie Antoinette attempt to escape their “humiliating” situation.

2. King disguises himself as a servant, the queen dressed as a governess.

3. Louis XVI is recognized, captured and returned to Paris

4. Radicals take control and give suffrage to all male citizens.

5. Put Louis XVI on trial for treason; the king was convicted by a single vote and sentenced to death.

XVI. The Reign of Terror:

A. Robespierre the “Incorruptible”

1. Believed France could achieve a "republic of virtue" only through the use of terror.

2. Led movement against "enemies of France" over 40,000 people were executed at the Guillotin during his "Reign of Terror."

3. People were executed for speaking out against the state.

B. "Terror" consumes those who started it:

1. Weary of the bloodshed, and fearing for their lives, the National Convention arrests Maximilien Robespierre.

2. After Robespierre's execution, the terror ends.

3. A five man Directory and two house legislature take control.

4. Weak and unstable the Directory faces growing unrest.

C. As chaos threatens, politicians turn to Napolean Bonaparte.

1. Brilliant military hero who won a series of brilliant victories against the Austrians and Italy who threatened France.

2. With the "French Revolution" passing it's tenth year in 1799 Napoleon moves to take the seat of Leadership naming himself consul for life in 1802.

3. Two years later in 1804, Napoleon assumed the title "Emperor of the French.