Chapter 5

1500-1600s, the Scientific Revolution introduced reason and Scientific method as the basis of knowledge, changing the way people looked at the world. In the 1700s, scientific successes, such as a vaccine against smallpox, convinced educated Europeans of the power of human reason. Natural law—rules discovered by reason—could be used to study human behavior and solve society’s problems. In this way, the Scientific Revolution sparked another revolution in thinking, known as the Enlightenment.

The ideas of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were key to the Enlightenment. Hobbes argued that people are “brutish” by nature, and therefore need to be controlled by an absolute monarchy. According to Hobbes, people enter into a social contract with their government, giving up their freedom in exchange for an organized society. In contrast, Locke thought people are reasonable and moral, and have certain natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property. Locke rejected absolute monarchy, believing that the best kind of government had limited power. In fact, Locke felt people could overthrow a government if it violated their natural rights.

In France, Enlightenment thinkers called philosophes believed the use of reason could lead to reforms in government, law, and society. Montesquieu proposed ideas of separation of power with checks and balances as a way to protect liberty. Voltaire exposed abuses of power and defended principles like freedom of speech. Diderot edited a 28-volume Encyclopedia. Rousseau believed the good of the community should be placed above individual interest. Smith, focused on natural law for economic freedom and reform, rejecting government regulation of the economy urging a laissez faire policy.

Natural Law: rules of conduct discoverable by reason

Scientists used natural law and the scientific method to challenge beliefs

JOHN LOCKE

Treates of Government

People are moral and reasonable

Natural Law; rights that belonged to humans from birth

Life, Liberty, and Property

THOMAS HOBBES Leviathan People are basically

evil, greedy, and immoral

Believed in strong powerful government

People need to be ruled People give up their

rights in order to live in an organized society

Adam Smith—The Wealth of Nations

Laissez faire—keep the government out of the affairs of private business

Free Markets would regulate the economy

Enlightenment ideas flowed from France, across Europe and beyond. Before, most Europeans had accepted a society based on divine-right rule, a strict class system, and a belief in a heavenly reward for earthly suffering. Ideas of Enlightenment were found in books and challenged those traditional beliefs and customs. In response, most government and church authorities waged a war of censorship. They banned and burned books, and imprisoned writers. These acts did not stop the spread of ideas. Philisophes and others disguised their ideas in works of fiction. Ideas continued to spread in salons, where people gathered to discuss new concepts in literature, the arts, science, and philosophy.

The courts of Europe were also affected by the Enlightenment as philosophes tried to persuade European rulers to make reforms. A few European monarch did accept Enlightenment ideas, but retained their absolute control. These enlightened despots used their power to bring about some political and social changes. In Prussia, Frederick the Great kept tight control over his subjects yet allowed a free press and religious tolerance. Catherine the Great of Russia abolished torture and criticized the institution of serfdom. In Austria, Joseph II traveled in disguise among his subjects to learn of their problems. Despite the spread of Enlightenment ideas, however, the lives of most regular Europeans changed slowly.

SalonsPamphletsEncyclopedias—Diderot—wanted to

change the way of thinkingLiteracy Rates (males)Literacy Rates (males)

16001600 18001800

FranceFrance 1/61/6 2/32/3

EnglishEnglish 1/41/4 1/21/2

Composers--OperasNovels—long fiction storiesArt becomes more elegant and more

affordable for the middle classEnlightened Despots—absolute

rulers who used their power to bring about social and political changes.

‘Philosophes’…Philosophers

Britain becomes a global power Settlements in the colonies England imposed few trade restrictions on

its merchants England was on the winning side of many

European conflicts (7 years war) Slave trade brought immense wealth Scotland/Ireland were incorporated with

England into the United Kingdom, increasing trade.

The French and Indian War/Seven Years War drained the British treasury. Since the colonies would benefit most from the acquired lands (modern day Canada) the King (George III) taxed the colonies to pay for the war.

Tensions and protest spread between colonists and the British soldiers. Finally, in April of 1775 the fighting turned into war in Lexington and Concorde, Massachusetts.

In 1776 the second Continental Congress met to declare independence.

July 4, 1776 - Declaration of Independence was adopted.

The colonies had the advantage of knowing the terrain. Britain made alliances with Native American groups and

offered freedom to and slaves who helped their cause. After the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 in which the

colonists won, the French decide to help out the colonists (as a way of enacting revenge for their loss in the French and Indian War). France donated supplies, soldiers, and warships. The Netherlands and Spain also offered their support.

In 1781 George Washington and his army forced the surrender of the British at Yorktown, Virginia.

In 1783 American, British, and French diplomats signed the Treaty of Paris ending the war and recognizing the United States of America as sovereign.

While France dealt a blow to its rival Britain when it helped the colonies rebel, in helping them France’s treasury was drained... signally hard times ahead.

Embolden by the success of the colonies, the French people started discussing the possibility of the same thing happening in France.