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