The Enlightenment in Europe

1. The Enlightenment in Europe Mr. Morris World History

2. Key Terms Ch. 22.2 pg. 629 Enlightenment Social contract John Locke Philosophes Voltaire Montesquieu Rousseau Mary Wollstonecraft

3. Setting the Stage • As the Scientific Revolution created new ways of thinking about things, it spilled over into other areas of society • Philosophers gained new views on government, religion, economics, and education • Enlightenment based on reason and the ability of a person to solve problems without help of others • Also known as the Age of Reason

4. Two Views on Government • Two English philosophers started the Enlightenment with their ideas • Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both used their experiences with the English political system to shape their opinions about how government should operate and the nature of humans

5. Hobbes’s Social Contract • After the English Civil War, Thomas Hobbes was convinced that all people were selfish and wicked • Needed governments to keep order • In his book, Leviathan, Hobbes said that people had to hand over their rights to a strong ruler (social contract) • Got law & order in return for forfeiting their rights • The stronger the government the better, could demand obedience and impose order when necessary

6. Locke’s Natural Rights • John Locke had a more positive view of humans than Thomas Hobbes • Humans are reasonable and should be able to govern themselves instead of having a monarchy • All people are entitled to life, liberty, and property • Governments are created to protect these rights • If a government hasnot protected the three rights that all are entitled to, citizens have a right to overthrow it

7. The Philosophes Advocate Reason • In France, the philosophes met to discuss politics and ideas in Paris • Five concepts made up their beliefs • Reason – Truth can be discovered through logic • Nature – All things natural are good and reasonable • Happiness – Be happy on earth as well as in heaven • Progress – Humankind has the ability to improve • Liberty – Wanted the same freedoms that the English had

8. Voltaire Combats Intolerance • Voltaire was the most famous philosophe • More than 70 books • Used satire and criticized clergy, aristocracy, and the government • Fought for tolerance, religious freedom, and freedom of speech • “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it”

9. Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers • Montesquieu studied political liberty • Mainly focused on England, saw theirs as the best government in the world • Loved their separation of powers (executive, judicial, legislative in different hands) • In his book, On the Spirit of Laws, he argued for checks and balances – different branches of government having enough power over the others to keep one from becoming too powerful

10. Rousseau: Champion of Freedom • Rousseau was a champion of individual rights • Civilization ruined individuals • Only good government was a direct democracy that people in a society agreed to create • All people should be treated equally, titles of nobility should be abolished • Wrote The Social Contract, explaining his ideas

11. Beccaria Promotes Criminal Justice • Italian philosopher who believed that laws should not avenge crimes • Accused should receive speedy trials, no torture • Punishment should be based on the seriousness of the crime • Said capital punishment should be abolished

12. Women and the Enlightenment • Most Enlightenment philosophers argued that women should maintain traditional roles • Mary Astell used political arguments to help women gain equal rights • Mary Wollstonecraft argued that women should receive the same education as men • Women should become involved in medicine and politics • Women met to discuss Enlightenment ideas in salons

13. Legacy of the Enlightenment • Enlightenment thinkers were not actual reformers, they just created theories • Used to spur later changes in society that fixed some of the problems that these philosophers saw

14. Belief in Progress • With the success of the Scientific Revolution, people believed in the possibility of changes in society as well • Argued that slavery should end • More social equality • Democratic governments

15. A More Secular Outlook • With the Scientific Revolution explaining the mysteries of the natural world, people began to question their religious beliefs and the teachings of the Church • People like Voltaire argued that Christianity was too superstitious and wanted religious tolerance

16. Importance of the Individual • Less people looking to Church and royalty for guidance • Instead they looked to themselves • Governments should be formed by individuals • Individuals had the power to judge what was right and what was wrong