1690-1790 Europe turned on the lights : )

The Enlightenment
World History II

The 1700sThe Age of Enlightenment
Rationalism:
The belief that truth can be determined solely by logical thinking was called rationalism
Enlightened Despotism:
A system of government in which the absolute monarch would rule, but according to the principles of the Enlightenment
Discussion:
Man is a wolf to other men

What do you think this means?
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes
- wrote the Leviathan (1651)
- people are born selfish and wicked
- government was necessary to keep order in society
- argued that people should give up some of their rights and freedoms to a strong ruler
- this agreement, by which people created the govt. in exchange for law and order, was called the social contract
- he believed the most powerful government was an absolute monarchy
IMPACT:
People saw the necessity of good, powerful government or else there would be “war of every man against every man.”
Discussion:
All wealth is the product of labor. --John Locke
John Locke
John Locke
- wrote Two Treatises on Government (1690)
- people are born free with 3 natural rights: life, liberty, and property
- the govt. exists to protect people’s natural rights
- if it fails to protect those rights, it should be overthrown AND replaced with a govt. that will protect those rights
- criticized absolute monarchy
- believed the govt’s power comes from the consent of the governed
IMPACT:
Locke’s ideas were fundamental in the United States’ “Declaration of Independence.”
Discussion:
A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century. Baron de Montesquieu 
Baron Charles de Montesquieu
Baron Charles de Montesquieu
- wrote On the Spirit of Laws (1748)
- believed Britain was the best governed country of the day
- proposed that separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the govt.
- he also believed that branches of the govt. should keep a close check on the others; today this is called checks and balances
IMPACT:
United States, France, and Latin American countries use separation of powers in new Constitutions. U.S. also uses checks and balances.
Discussion:
“I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”--Voltaire
Voltaire
- published over 70 works of literature regarding politics and society
- Candide was one of his most famous works
- often targeted the clergy, aristocracy, and govt.
- sent to prison twice, then exiled from France, so he went to England
- he admired England’s political system
- argued that people should have the freedom of thought, expression, and religion
- he ended many of his letters with “Ecrasez l’infame!” (“Crush the Evil Thing!”)
IMPACT:
U.S. Bill of Rights and France’s Declaration of the Rights of Man guarantee certain individual freedoms.
Discussion:
Make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will quickly become good wives; - that is, if men do not neglect the duties of husbands and fathers. Mary Wollstonecraft 
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft
- wrote A Vindication On the Rights of Women (1792)
- education would make women more virtuous, useful, and better mothers
- women should be doctors, not just nurses, and should be allowed to participate in government
IMPACT:
Women’s rights groups form in Europe and North America.
Discussion:
Man is born free, and everywhere he is in shackles. Jean Jacques Rousseau 
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Jean Jacques Rousseau
- wrote The Social Contract (1762)
- believed that civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness
- once, people lived as free and equal individuals, but as they became civilized, the strongest imposed their own unjust laws and forced everyone else to follow them, thus destroying freedom and equality
- the only good govt. is one freely formed by the people and guided by the general will of the people – direct democracy.