The Enlightenment

Lesson #2:The Enlightenment in Europe

The Enlightenment in Europe

• Main Idea: A revolution in intellectual activity changed Europeans’ view of government and society.

• Why it matters now: The various freedoms enjoyed in many countries today are a direct result of Enlightenment thinking.

The Enlightenment

• What?• When?• Where?

Philosophes

• What is a philosophe?• What are their beliefs?– Reason:– Nature:– Happiness:– Progress:– Liberty:

Learning Goal:Explain the ideas of Hobbes.

A. TWO VIEWS ON GOVERNMENTI. Thomas Hobbes’ Social Contract:

I. EnglishII. Wrote the book “Leviathan”III. Idea: strong central power is a necessary evil;

HOWEVER, the ruler(s) is/are obliged to serve the will of the people (basis for the social contract theory)

Learning Goal:Explain the ideas of Locke.

II. John Locke’s Natural Rights:I. EnglishII. Wrote the book “Two Treatises on Government”III. Idea: all men are born with three natural rights of life, liberty, and property; also a social contract theorist

Learning Goal:Explain the ideas of Voltaire.

B. THE PHILOSOPHES ADVOCATE REASONI. Voltaire (FR) Combats Intolerance: “I do not agree

with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

I. FrenchII. Wrote “Candide” (wrote with a narrative,

satirical style)III. Idea: freedom of speech and religion

Learning Goal:Explain the ideas of Montesquieu.

II. Montesquieu and the Separation of PowersI. FrenchII. Wrote “On the Spirit of Laws”III. Idea: separation of powers; checks and balances

Learning Goal:Explain the ideas of Rousseau.

III. Rousseau – Champion of Freedom: “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.”

I. FrenchII. Wrote “The Social Contract”III. Idea: believed that free and unrestrained life was ideal; believed that government was necessary, but social contract should prevail

Learning Goal:Explain the ideas of Beccaria.

IV. Beccaria Promotes Criminal JusticeI. ItalianII. Wrote “On Crimes and Punishments”III. Idea: no cruel or unusual punshiment; punishments should fit crimes

Learning Goal:Describe women and their role during the Enlightenment.

C. WOMEN AND THE ENLIGHTENMENTI. Mary Wollstonecraft:

I. EnglishII. Wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”III. Idea: women should be guaranteed rights

II.Salons:

Learning Goal:Explain the legacy of the Enlightenment.

D. LEGACY OF THE ENLIGHTENMENTI. Belief in ProgressII.A More Secular OutlookIII.Importance of the IndividualIV.Enlightened DespotsV.American RevolutionVI.French Revolution

Two Treatises on Government -- Locke

• Paraphrase Locke’s definition of liberty in your own words.

• Liberty is freedom from absolute, arbitrary power; neither government nor freedom should be absolute.

Candide -- Voltaire• What are the “pebbles” and “yellow mud” of Eldorado that the

Europeans value so much?• Yellow mud is gold. The pebbles are precious gems.• Why does no one leave Eldorado?• First, geographically it is almost impossible because of steep

mountains and valleys and the river currents. Second, the rulers have decreed that no one should leave, so no one tries.

• What does Candide fine to admire as he tours the city?• The city is beautiful, with fountains of water and sweet drinks, and

scented pavements. More importantly, there are no law courts or prisons, but there is a palace of science.

• In what ways is the king of Eldorado an ideal Enlightenment ruler?• The king does not demand any great ceremony or fawning, but

treats people as equals. He is opposed to tyranny and says “All men are free.”

The Social Contract -- Rousseau• Which did Rousseau believe was better – a government

freely formed by the people or one imposed on a people by force?

• A government freely formed by the people• Did Rousseau believe that it was the right of the strongest

to rule?• No; he believed that being strong and forceful did not

necessarily give the strongest the rule unless the people willed it.

• How would you compare Locke’s idea about government to Rouseeau’s?

• Both Locke and Rousseau believed that legitimate government came from the people.

A Vindication of the Rights of Women – Wollstonecraft

• According to Wollstonecraft, what happens when women are not properly educated?

• Women are made weak and wretched when they are allowed to develop their abilities.

• What is Wollstonecraft’s opinion of the equality of men and women?

• In her opinion, women are physically inferior, but like men, needed education to become virtuous and useful.

• Rousseau believed that a woman’s education should be primarily to teach her to become a better wife and mother. How do you think Wollstonecraft would react to his views?

• She may have agreed with him because she felt that education helped women become “affectionate wives and rational mothers.” On the contrary, she may have disagreed with him because she stressed that the purpose of education was to help women develop their talents and abilities and, in turn, make them more noble.