The Enlightenment 17 October 2019 Causes and Effects

The Enlightenment 17 October 2019

Causes and Effects of the Enlightenment

Origins of the Enlightenment What was the Enlightenment? An 18 th century philosophical movement that advocated reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy What were the basic principals of the Enlightenment? Reason – Truth through logical reasoning Nature – Nature is good; natural laws of politics & economics Happiness – Live by nature’s laws and you will find happiness Progress – Believed society and humankind could be

Views on Governments OLD IDEA: The king’s or queen’s rule is justified by DIVINE RIGHT Divine Right: The idea that monarchs are God’s representatives on earth and answer only to God NEW IDEA: The government’s power comes from the consent of the governed… in other words, from ordinary people like you and me

Important Enlightenment Thinkers

Thomas Hobbes (1588 -1679) Lived during the English Civil War Famous work was Leviathan Main Ideas Man is inherently selfish and aggressive Mankind, if left on its own, would be ruled by chaos and conflict Citizens need the law and a strong monarch to prevent chaos The Social Contract

John Locke (1632 -1704) Lived during the English Civil War Main Ideas Supported individual’s natural right to life, liberty, and property Government at the consent of the governed If rights withheld, people have right to overthrow the gov’t Influenced the American Revolution and French Enlightenment thinkers

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712 -1788) French philosopher Main Ideas Social Contract Theory Humans are basically good by nature but corrupted by society Civilization destroyed freedom and equality Influenced the American & French Revolutions (Popular sovereignty) – gov’t created and controlled by the people If a ruler violates the contract, people have a right to overthrow him Advocated direct “Man is born free, and democracy everywhere he is in chains”

Voltaire (1694 -1778) Wrote using a penname Perhaps the most brilliant Enlightenment philosopher Frequently targeted the clergy, aristocracy, and government Main Ideas Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, tolerance Attacked intolerance, prejudice, and superstition “Crush the evil thing” “I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ”

Montesquieu (1689 -1755) A French aristocrat and a lawyer Believed Britain was the bestgoverned country Main Ideas “Power should be a check to power” Division of gov’t (Parliament and King) Challenged absolute monarchy Separation of Powers Executive, legislative, judicial Checks and Balances Influenced the United States Constitution

Cesare Beccaria (1738 – 1794) Associated with law and punishments Main Ideas Laws are to preserved order, not avenge crimes Abolition of torture Right to a speedy trial and punishments should fit the crime

Women and the Enlightenment thinkers maintained traditional ideas toward women Educated women challenged these ideas using Enlightenment arguments Mary Wollstonecraft Women need education to be virtuous & useful Women have the right to participate in politics Women helped spread Enlightenment ideas by holding

Key Ideas of the Enlightenment

Impact of the Enlightenment

Impact of the Enlightenment Revolutions Belief in social and human progress Abolition of slavery, promote education, social equality, etc. Secular outlook in Europe American, French, Haitian, etc. Promotion of religious tolerance, openly question religious beliefs, science challenges religious teachings Importance of the individual People can judge right and wrong for themselves, rise of capitalism, support for democracy, etc.