The Enlightenment 1700 s Mrs Quimby Quincy High

The Enlightenment 1700 s Mrs. Quimby Quincy High School Sophomores

Why is this Important? § The ideas of the Enlightenment a long-lasting impact on history § Inspired Revolution: § The Enlightenment inspired the American and French Revolutions § Changed Governments: § Rousseau’s ideas about government led to the checks-and-balances systems that most democracies have today § Improved Science: § The Age of Reason meant that people thought everything in the world could be explained. This improved science, math, and medicine.

Why is this Important? “Enlightenment was a desire for human affairs to be guided by rationality rather than by faith, superstition, or revelation; a belief in the power of human reason to change society and liberate the individual from the restraints of custom or arbitrary authority; all backed up by a world view increasingly validated by science rather than by religion or tradition. ” Based on this quote, and your reading, take a few minutes to discuss with your neighbor. Describe the Enlightenment in your own words. What is the most important aspect of the Enlightenment? Write it down and put both partners names on the paper.

Before the Enlightenment § Before the Enlightenment, there was the Scientific Revolution. These ideas helped inspire the Enlightenment thinkers. § Important Points of the Scientific Revolution: § § Earth revolves around the sun Other planets also revolve around the sun Newton’s 3 laws of physics Kepler’s laws of planetary motion § These ideas helped show that natural phenomena had scientific causes…

Before the Enlightenment § Most people believed that the universe had been created according to a set of laws - laws that people could understand predict. § In order to live peaceful lives, people had to live according to the natural law. § The belief was that, as long as people were aware of the world around them, and how it worked, progress could always happen.

Age of Reason § The Age of Enlightenment was also called the Age of Reason § The scientific revolution gave people confidence in the power of REASON § People started to believe that the world’s problems could be solved through rational thought. § This belief was called rationalism. These thinkers were called philosophes (it’s French for ‘philosopher’)

The Salon § During the Enlightenment, people met in salons. § Most of these salons were the apartments of wealthy middle class women. § The salons were the center of social, political, and cultural society. All the cool kids hung out at the salon. Indeed. In England we hung out in Coffee Houses

The Salon - Hostesses § The salons were run by hostesses - women who were highly educated and usually part of the cultural elite. § Many of these hostesses were part of the rising middle class – the bourgeoisie. § One of the most well-known hostesses was Marie-Therese Geoffrin. § Many of the important thinkers, artists, and writers of the day gathered at Madame Geoffrin’s salon to discuss politics and art. § Madame Geoffrin’s salon was literally the place to be – it was a huge honor to get an invitation. § It was in these salons that the ideas of the Enlightenment spread.

Important Thinkers § There were several philosophes who were especially important to the Enlightenment. § Many of the ideas of the Enlightenment were based on the ideas of John Locke § Pre-Enlightenment thinker who inspired everyone else. § Introduced theories of religious tolerance, separation of Church and State, and capitalism.

Important Thinkers Cont. § Montesquieu § Wrote that the best form of government is one split into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary § Based this idea on his observation of the British government (following the Glorious Revolution) § Wrote that events in history are not caused by individuals, but by movements. § He used Rome as an example: According to Montesquieu, Rome transitioned from a Republic to an Empire not because of Julius Caesar, but because of the state of the country – Rome was ripe for change, and if Caesar had not taken the role, others would have.

Important Thinkers Cont. § Voltaire § Supported religious tolerance and freedom of speech. § He is famous for his quote: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ” § Voltaire also thought there should be separation between church and state. § Voltaire’s name was a nom de plume – an alias. He was born with the name François-Marie Arouet. § Like many Enlightenment thinkers, Voltaire was also religious. He considered himself a deist. § "What is faith? Is it to believe that which is evident? No. It is perfectly evident to my mind that there exists a necessary, eternal, supreme, and intelligent being. This is no matter of faith, but of reason. "

Important Thinkers Cont. § Rousseau was born in Switzerland, but lived and wrote in France. § Believed that people are born free, but this state is corrupted by government. The best government is one elected by the people. § Rousseau also believed that people are naturally good, and can become corrupt. § For example, wars fought over land ignore the fact that the whole human race must share the planet. “The first man who, having fenced in a piece of land, said "This is mine, " and found people naïve enough to believe him, that man was the true founder of civil society. ” § Rousseau believed that a more “civilized” people would actually be closer to the “savage” state – one with fewer rules, and fewer inhibitions.

Important Thinkers Cont. § Diderot § Editor of the Encyclopedia, which collected the writings of many philosophes. § Diderot was the contemporary of other philosophes and close friends with Rousseau. § Unlike others, however, he did not become wealthy in his lifetime – many other “men of letters” (writers) found sponsors who would support them. Diderot did not. § Diderot was approached to translate an English “Cyclopaedia”, and instead suggested creating an Encyclopedia with his colleague Jean le Rond d'Alembert. § The Encyclopedia would collect the thoughts and writings of important people of the Enlightenment. It would not just be a translation, but a whole new document. § The Encyclopedia was controversial. People in the Aristocracy thought it was a way to spread dangerous ideas.

Political Theories § The Enlightenment was also characterized by several political theories. § Popular Sovereignty: A government that is created by the people, and based on the will of the people. § Later, this evolves into Constitutional Monarchies, Republics, and Democracies… § Enlightened Despotism: A government with a king or queen (monarch), but one where the monarch governs based on the Enlightenment. Democracy is the way to go, guys. What’s Democracy?

People Who Like The Enlightenment… § In France, there were several groups of people § Peasants § Uneducated land workers. § Tradesmen/Bankers/Merchants § Educated and getting rich. Want to own land. Read books and talk about politics. Want more power in the government. § Clergy § Rich and powerful. § Aristocracy § Old nobility and landowners. Friends with the King. Control the government. Who do you think was most interested in the Enlightenment? Why?

The Rise of the Bourgeoisie § The tradesmen, bankers, merchants etc. start to form a new level of society § This class is not the aristocracy, and not the peasants. § The bourgeoisie are the rising middle class. § Many bourgeoisie are well-educated men and women § They are not nobility, but many are wealthy § This is a unique group of people who have the time and the money to be able to come up with new ideas about society. § Most of the philosophes are part of the bourgeoisie. § These are the people who would later begin the French Revolution.

So… § In Europe (especially in France), philosophes are coming up with new ideas for government. § These people are getting wealthier, and are more educated than ever before. § They believe that a government should be representative of the people it governs. FOR HOMEWORK § Imagine you are a philosophe in a French salon. If you could design a perfect government, one that works best for you, what would you create? Would it be a democracy? Have an Enlightened Despot? How would it be similar or different from governments today? § Write at least 3 paragraphs, typed or hand written, to be turned in at the beginning of next class.

Louis XIV L’etat c’est moi! King of France I AM THE STATE! Absolutism