The Enlightenment

The Age of Reason

The Age of Enlightenment An intellectual movement in from mid1600s -

1700s in Europe (mostly England & France) Enlightenment thinkers applied methods and

principles of the Scientific Revolution to issues of political, economic and social reform

Focused on the power and goodness of human rational thinking

Often referred to as “The Age of Reason” Mostly effected the urban middle classes and

aristocracy Enlightenment thinkers were known as

“philosophes”

Salons

Enlightenment Thinkers

HobbesLockeMontesquieuVoltaireRousseauDiderotWollstonecraftSmith

Thomas Hobbes Believed in the social

contract- people give up individual liberties in return for social order & protection

The natural condition of humans is one of continuous conflict and competition (war)

Supporter of absolute monarchy

Believed anarchy to be a state of nature.

Wrote Leviathan (1651) Said life is “solitary, poor,

nasty, brutish, and short”

Cover of Hobbes’ book Leviathan

John Locke Believed in “natural right

s”: Life, Liberty & Property

People form governments to protect their natural rights.

Government exists to protect those rights, & if it doesn’t, it should be overthrown.

Gov. should have limited power

Supporter of democracy

Baron de MontesquieuSeparation of

power into 3 branches of gov: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial

His idea of “checks and balances” of each branch would influence the U.S. Constitution

Voltaire Strong supporter of freedom

of speech and religious toleration

Humans are liars, traitors, ingrates, thieves, misers, killers, fanatics, hypocrites, fools and so on. Yet, it’s normal.

Believed in separation of church and state

Satirist who wrote about the French monarchy, the nobility, and the church

Wrote the novel Candide Denied writings to avoid

trouble with French monarchy

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Argued that people are

born good, but are corrupted by society

Opposed strong govt. Govt. should be created

and controlled by the people (“popular sovereignty”)

Wrote The Social Contract (1762)

Denis DiderotCreated/ edited The

Encyclopedia– Taught people to think

critically– Solicited articles from

many experts– Controversial articles

brought criticism– Overall, moved forward

the ideas of The Enlightenment

Mary Wollstonecraft Early spokesperson for

women’s rights (early feminist)

Argued the ideals of equality should be extended to women as well as men.

Governments should extend political rights to women

Supported equal education for girls & boys

Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

Adam Smith Scotish economist

considered the father of capitalism

Division of labor increases productivity and efficiency

Wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776) - Bible of capitalism

Individuals should be free to pursue wealth w/o gov. restrictions

People are motivated by self-interest

Theory of Supply and Demand

Key Ideas of The Enlightenment

Natural rights

Freedom of speech

Religious tolerance/limits on the church

Education for all

Attacked absolute monarchies

Results of The Enlightenment

Revolutions in the USA, France, and Haiti

New ideas about equality, freedoms and democracy

Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence

The US Constitution & Bill of Rights

Question #1

Q: What did Thomas Hobbes believe?

Question #2

What did John Locke believe were the three rights every person is naturally entitled to?

Question #3

How did Montesquieu influence the government of the U.S.?

Question #4

What did Adam Smith believe? Why was this important?

Question #5

Who was Mary Wollstonecraft? What did she propose during the Enlightenment?

Question #6

What was Denis Diderot responsible for during the Enlightenment? Why was this important?

Question #7

What was another term for an Enlightenment thinker?

Question #8

What was The Enlightenment?

Question #9

What were consequences of The Enlightenment?