THE ENLIGHTENMEN

T

Chapter 10

Section 2

PATH TO THE ENLIGHTENMENT Influenced by the Scientific Revolution

Earth revolves around the sunAdvances in medicineAdvances in math

Applied the scientific method to society Hoped to make progress towards a

better society Reason, natural law, hope, progress

THE PHILOSOPHESJohn Locke tabula rasa – “blank mind”

People are molded by the experience that came through their senses from the surrounding world.

Born good and equal Two Treatises on Government

Born with natural rights - “life, liberty, and property”

Government’s role – to protect people’s natural rights People consent to their government People have the right to overthrow their government

THE PHILOSOPHES

Montesquieu Spirit of the Laws was a study of governments 3 Kinds of governments

1.) republics (small states)2.) despotism (large states) one person has

all the power3.) monarchies (moderate sized states)

Separation of powers – each branch of government is limited and controlled each other in a system of checks and balances.

Voltaire Known for his criticism of

Christianity and religious tolerance

Treatise on Toleration (1763) “all men are brothers under God.”

deism – a religious philosophy in which a mechanic (God) creates a clock (the universe) and sets it in motion, allowing it to run on its own without his interference and according to its own natural laws.

THE PHILOSOPHES

THE PHILOSOPHERS

Diderot Encyclopedia, or

Classified Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Trades “change the general way

of thinking” 28 Volumes, written in

20 years became a weapon

against old French society

sold to doctors, teachers, clergymen, and lawyers

Adam Smith Wealth of Nations (1776) laissez-faire – “to let people do what

they want”; the state should not interrupt the free play of natural economic forces by imposing regulations on the economy. Instead it should leave the economy alone.

Three basic roles of governmentProtect societyDefend against injusticeMaintain public works

THE PHILOSOPHERS

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Displeased that

mankind had become enslaved by government

The Social Contract (1762) – presented social contract, or the belief an entire society agrees to be governed by it general will. Through the general will liberty is achieved.

THE PHILOSOPHES

Cesare Beccaria Prior punishment for crimes

was harsh On Crimes and Punishment

(1764) Punishments should not be brutal Opposed capital punishment

THE PHILOSOPHERSMary Wollstonecraft Pointed out two flaws of Enlightenment

philosophersSince the oppression of government over men

was wrong, men’s oppression over women equally wrong

Women reason and are entitled to the same rights as men

SUMMARY QUESTIONS

What were the main problems that the enlightenment philosophers attempted to solve with their new ideas?

Which philosopher do you agree with the most and why?

Do you think the philosophers were successful in improving society? Why or why not?

Philosophes

Montes-quieu

Voltaire

Smith

RousseauDiderot

Wollstone-craft

Beccaria

IMPACT OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT Enlightened absolutism – rulers who

attempted to govern by Enlightenment principles while maintaining power.

But were they truly enlightened

3 ExamplesPrussiaAustriaRussia

For each country… identify the following Ruler(s) How did rulers incorporate

enlightenment ideas? Were they truly enlightened? Why or

why not?

IMPACT OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Country RulerEnlightenment

IdeaDid it work?

Austria Frederick II

•abolished torture•more freedom of speech•religious toleration

• didn’t eliminate serfdom• rigid social structure

Prussia Maria TheresaJoseph II

Maria Theresa • ease serf’s restrictionsJoseph II•eliminated death penalty•equality before the law•religious reforms and toleration

• unpopular with nobles, Catholic Church, and serfs• most reforms repealed

Russia Catherine the Great

•ease on serf’s restrictions•attempted new law code (more equality under the law)

• afraid to loose noble support• crushed rebellions• expanded serfdom

ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM Only Joseph II sought changes.

All interested in power and welfare of the state

Used enlightenment ideas to suppress their subjects

Created and lead to a rivalry among states

BELL RINGER – 9/11

How have the events of 9/11 affected our everyday life?

How do you think the Founding Fathers would have responded to events such as these?

EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTIONPick two enlightenment ideas that

influenced the founding documents of the United States. State the idea and which philosopher it came from, and how we incorporated the idea. (6 points)

BIRTH OF A NEW NATION Articles of Confederation

Weak central government out of fear Federal system – national and state

governments share power 3 Branches (Montesquieu’s idea)

LegislativeExecutive Judicial

Ratification by ¾ of the states (9 /13) Included the Bill of Rights

First 10 amendmentsProtects basic freedoms based on natural

rights