The Enlightenment and Democratic Revolutions Prologue Section 4

Enlightenment Ideas l Occurred during the 17 th and 18 th Century. Thinkers built

Enlightenment Followers’ l Thomas Hobbes: believed people selfish and ambitious by nature. Believed in

Enlightenment Followers’ l Rousseau: wrote Social Contract, which advocated democracy. Thought opposite of Hobbes

Beginning Democracy in America l Enlightenment had a major influence in the American colonies.

Democracy in America (cont’d) l British continue to tax the colonies. l Leads to

French Revolution l Began because Louis XVI was weak leader. His wife involved in

French Revolution (cont’d) l Influenced by Enlightenment ideas they adopted the Rights of Man.

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The Enlightenment and Democratic Revolutions Prologue / Section 4

Enlightenment Ideas l Occurred during the 17 th and 18 th Century. Thinkers built on western thought. l Followers of the ideas hoped that they could use reason to discover natural laws that governed society just as scientists had used to discover physical laws.

Enlightenment Followers’ l Thomas Hobbes: believed people selfish and ambitious by nature. Believed in absolute Monarchy. l John Locke: believed the fundamental duty of the government was to protect the rights of the people. Said, “people have right to rebel against government who fails. ”

Enlightenment Followers’ l Rousseau: wrote Social Contract, which advocated democracy. Thought opposite of Hobbes believed free individuals wanted to create government. l Montesquieu: Recognized liberty as natural right. Wrote Spirit of Laws. Said “anyone in power, will try to increase power. ” (separation of powers)

Beginning Democracy in America l Enlightenment had a major influence in the American colonies. l “Taxation without Representation. ” l Also thought unfair couldn’t settle land west of the Appalachian Mountains. l Colonists begin to fight back for rights.

Democracy in America (cont’d) l British continue to tax the colonies. l Leads to American Revolution, which in 1776 leads to creation of the U. S. A. l Enlightenment ideas influence writers of the Declaration of Independence, especially ideas of Locke. l Ideas led to representative government and federal system.

French Revolution l Began because Louis XVI was weak leader. His wife involved in government (unpopular) and only commoners paid taxes. l Inspired by the American Revolution. l By 1789 government was about to go bankrupt. l People wanted democratic freedoms.

French Revolution (cont’d) l Influenced by Enlightenment ideas they adopted the Rights of Man. l Declaration guaranteed rights of “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. ” l Creates limited monarchy. l However, not until the mid-1800’s is democracy established in France.