section 2 enlightenment and revolution essential questions how was the enlightenment influenced by...

Section 2Enlightenment and Revolution

Essential Questions

• How was the Enlightenment influenced by reason?

• What new views did philosophers have about government?

• What new views did philosophers have about society?

• How did Enlightenment spread?

Main Idea

European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the Enlightenment.

The Enlightenment


The Age of Reason

Scientific Revolution convinced many European thinkers about power of reason

• Wondered if reason could be used to study human nature, society

– Viewed reason as best way to understand truth

– Concluded reason could be used to solve all human problems

– This time of optimism now called the Enlightenment


• Paris, center of intellectual activity

• Parisian women hosted social gatherings, salons

• Philosophers, artists, scientists, writers regularly discussed ideas

Peak of Enlightenment

• Held notion that world problems could be solved

• New ideas debated in coffeehouses, public spaces

• Writers published ideas

Ideas of Enlightenment

The Age of Reason


Find the Main Idea

What exciting conclusion did philosophers reach during the Enlightenment?

Answer(s): Reason could be used to solve all human problems.


As the Enlightenment began, European thinkers began looking for ways to apply reason in order to improve the human condition.

• English thinker, wrote that absolute monarchy best

• Believed people needed government to impose order

– People selfish, greedy– Should exchange some

freedoms for peace, safety, order

Thomas Hobbes• English philosopher,

believed all people born equal

• Government should protect people’s natural rights– Monarchs not chosen by

God– Power limited by laws– Ideas foundation for

modern democracy

John Locke

New Views on Government


View of Government, Society

• Believed government should work for common good, not wealthy few

• Individuals should give up some freedoms for benefit of community

• Despised inequality in society

• Views inspired revolutionaries in years to come

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• French philosopher, believed people basically good

• Believed society corrupted people

• Wrote The Social Contract, contract between all members of society

• “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains.”


Separation of powers

• Best form of government divided power among branches of government

• Separation of powers kept individual or group from abusing power

Checks and balances

• Separation of powers allowed each branch to check against power of others

• Concept later important structure of democratic governments

The Spirit of the Laws

• Published 1748, showed admiration of Great Britain’s government• Powers divided into branches: legislative, executive, judicial• Parliament made laws, king carried out laws, courts interpreted laws

Baron de Montesquieu


Make Inferences

Why was the subject of government so important to Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and

Montesquieu?

Answer(s): Each philosopher had strong opinions about the power and purpose of government.


New Views on Society

Voltaire

• Outspoken philosopher,

– Attacked injustice among nobility, government, church

– Created enemies, imprisoned twice

– Defended principles, fought ignorance

– Lifelong struggle for justice, toleration, liberty


Diderot & Encyclopedia

• determined to try to compile knowledge into a single work

• extensive 35-volume work took 27 year to complete

• Spread Enlightenment ideas

Adam Smith

- used reason to analyze economic systems

- wrote The Wealth of Nations

Attacks by French leaders

- Criticisms of church, government, legal system

- Tried to stop publication

- Completed in secret

- Strong believer in laissez-faire economics, no govt. regulation

- Believed economy would be stronger if market forces of supply and demand were allowed to work freely

New Views on Society


Summarize

How did philosophers apply reason to issues in society?

Answer(s): They used reason to challenge existing societal views and government policies.


The spirit of optimism quickly spread throughout Europe. A few monarchs became enlightened despots, changing their systems of government and ruling according to Enlightenment ideas.

• Enacted some reforms like: education, some religious tolerance, abolishment of torture

Prussia, Russia, Austria • Did not make

reforms to achieve justice but to make own rule more powerful

• No religious tolerance for Jews

• Opposed serfdom, did not abolish

Limitations

• Changes resisted by nobility, church

• had no intention of giving up power

Reality?

Enlightenment Ideas Spread


Challenged Beliefs• Writers, philosophers questioned ideas long held as absolute truth• Challenged beliefs in absolute monarchies, questioned relationship

between church and sate, debated rules and rights of people in society

• Promoted ideas reformers and revolutionaries would later use to change society

• Belief in progress spurred many to enact reforms

• Believed reason could solve any problem

• Did not accept poverty, ignorance, inequality as facts of life

Reforms • Ideas about power, authority

inspired reforms and revolutions

• American colonists inspired to break free from British monarchy

• Colonists strongly influenced by political views of Locke, Rousseau

Revolutions

Enlightenment Ideas Spread

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