The Enlightenment
Lesson #2:
The Enlightenment in Europe
The Enlightenment in Europe
• Main Idea: A revolution in intellectual activity
changed Europeans’ view of government and
society. This was also known as the “Age of
Reason.”
• Why it matters now: The various freedoms
enjoyed in many countries today are a direct
result of Enlightenment thinking.
The Enlightenment
• What?
• When?
• Where?
Philosophes
• What is a philosophe?
• What are their beliefs?
– Reason:
– Nature:
– Happiness:
– Progress:
– Liberty:
Social Contract Theory
• Is the view that persons' moral and/or political
obligations are dependent upon a contract or
agreement among them to form the society in
which they live.
• Question: In your own words, what is your
interpretation of this definition of “Social
Contract Theory.”
• Complete this in your “Daily Starter Folder”
Learning Goal:
Explain the ideas of Hobbes.
A. TWO VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT
I. Thomas Hobbes’ Social Contract:
I. English
II. Wrote the book “Leviathan”
III. Idea: strong central power is a necessary evil;
HOWEVER, the ruler(s) is/are obliged to serve
the will of the people (basis for the social
contract theory)
Learning Goal:
Explain the ideas of Locke.
II. John Locke’s Natural Rights:
I. English
II. Wrote the book “Two Treatises on
Government”
III. Idea: all men are born with three natural
rights of life, liberty, and property; also a
social contract theorist
Learning Goal:
Explain the ideas of Voltaire.
B. THE PHILOSOPHES ADVOCATE REASON
I. Voltaire (FR) Combats Intolerance: “I do not agree
with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right
to say it.”
I. French
II. Wrote “Candide” (wrote with a narrative,
satirical style)
III. Idea: freedom of speech and religion
Learning Goal:
Explain the ideas of Montesquieu.
II. Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers
I. French
II. Wrote “On the Spirit of Laws”
III. Idea: separation of powers; checks and
balances
Learning Goal:
Explain the ideas of Rousseau.
III. Rousseau – Champion of Freedom: “Man is born
free and everywhere he is in chains.”
I. French
II. Wrote “The Social Contract”
III. Idea: believed that free and unrestrained
life was ideal; believed that government was
necessary, but social contract should prevail
Learning Goal:
Explain the Ideas of Sidney
• IV. Algernon Sidney – Believed in the right to
be equal and free, popular sovereignty.
• I. English
• II. Wrote: Discourses Concerning Government
• III. Idea: God leaves to Man the choice of
Forms in Government; and those who
constitute one Form, may abrogate it....
Learning Goal:
Explain the Ideas of Coke
• V. Edward Coke: He was a champion of
Common Law and held the belief that it was
the supreme law and far more powerful than
the King.
• I. English
• II. Upset King James with his comments.
• III. Idea: the King cannot change any part of
the common law nor create any offence by
proclamation which was not an offence before
Learning Goal:
Explain the Ideas of Diderot
• VI. Denis Diderot - "The good of the people must be the
great purpose of government. By the laws of nature and of
reason, the governors are invested with power to that end.
And the greatest good of the people is liberty. It is to the state
what health is to the individual.”
• I. French
• II. chief editor of the L'Encyclopédie
• III. Many of his books did not publish until after his death
because they were considered to controversial. Diderot
condemned Colonialism and Slavery.
Learning Goal:
Explain the ideas of Franklin
• Benjamin Franklin - Within nation-states, Franklin
thought that “independent entrepreneurs make good
citizens” because they pursue “attainable goals” and are
“capable of living a useful and dignified life.”
• I. English/American
• II. Wrote many books and articles
• III. Idea: Franklin was a staunch defender of federalism, a critic
of narrow parochialism, a visionary leader in world politics
and a strong advocate of religious liberty.
Learning Goal:
Explain the ideas of Beccaria.
IV. Cesare Beccaria Promotes Criminal Justice
I. Italian
II. Wrote “On Crimes and Punishments”
III. Idea: no cruel or unusual punshiment;
punishments should fit crimes
Learning Goal:
Describe women and their role during the Enlightenment.
C. WOMEN AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT
I. Mary Wollstonecraft:
I. English
II. Wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”
III. Idea: women should be guaranteed rights
II.Salons:
Learning Goal:
Explain the legacy of the Enlightenment.
D. LEGACY OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
I. Belief in Progress
II.A More Secular Outlook
III.Importance of the Individual
IV.Enlightened Despots
V.American Revolution
VI.French Revolution
Two Treatises on Government -- Locke
• Paraphrase Locke’s definition of liberty in
your own words.
• Liberty is freedom from absolute, arbitrary
power; neither government nor freedom
should be absolute.
Candide -- Voltaire
• What are the “pebbles” and “yellow mud” of Eldorado that the
Europeans value so much?
• Yellow mud is gold. The pebbles are precious gems.
• Why does no one leave Eldorado?
• First, geographically it is almost impossible because of steep
mountains and valleys and the river currents. Second, the rulers
have decreed that no one should leave, so no one tries.
• What does Candide fine to admire as he tours the city?
• The city is beautiful, with fountains of water and sweet drinks, and
scented pavements. More importantly, there are no law courts or
prisons, but there is a palace of science.
• In what ways is the king of Eldorado an ideal Enlightenment ruler?
• The king does not demand any great ceremony or fawning, but
treats people as equals. He is opposed to tyranny and says “All men
are free.”
The Social Contract -- Rousseau
• Which did Rousseau believe was better – a government
freely formed by the people or one imposed on a people
by force?
• A government freely formed by the people
• Did Rousseau believe that it was the right of the strongest
to rule?
• No; he believed that being strong and forceful did not
necessarily give the strongest the rule unless the people
willed it.
• How would you compare Locke’s idea about government
to Rouseeau’s?
• Both Locke and Rousseau believed that legitimate
government came from the people.
A Vindication of the Rights of Women
– Wollstonecraft
• According to Wollstonecraft, what happens when women are not
properly educated?
• Women are made weak and wretched when they are allowed to
develop their abilities.
• What is Wollstonecraft’s opinion of the equality of men and
women?
• In her opinion, women are physically inferior, but like men, needed
education to become virtuous and useful.
• Rousseau believed that a woman’s education should be primarily
to teach her to become a better wife and mother. How do you
think Wollstonecraft would react to his views?
• She may have agreed with him because she felt that education
helped women become “affectionate wives and rational mothers.”
On the contrary, she may have disagreed with him because she
stressed that the purpose of education was to help women develop
their talents and abilities and, in turn, make them more noble.