The Enlightenment:
A New Way of Thinking
I. Definition:
A time when
the use of
reason (logical
thinking) and
scientific
principles were
applied to
political, social
and economic
problems.
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It was a direct result
of absolutism.
The people of Europe
became tired of the
abuses of power by
absolute monarchs.
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Philosophes
wrote about
natural laws, or
laws that govern
human behavior.
John Calvin
Thomas Hobbes
II. Philosophes:
Enlightenment thinkers who applied methods of
science to improve society.
1. Thomas Hobbes
Wrote “The Leviathan”
•Man is naturally cruel & must be controlled
•Social contract – an agreement to give up
man’s natural rights to live in organized society.
• Gov’t must ensure order & obedience
•Promoted absolute monarchy
The best government, according to Hobbes, was one that had the
absolute power of a leviathan (sea monster).
2. John Locke
Wrote “Two Treatises on Government”
•Man
is born equal & good
•Natural rights- rights belonging to all humans
“life, liberty and property”
•Best gov’t: leader is limited and is accepted by
all citizens (democracy)
•If gov’t fails, people have the right to overthrow
it
The belief that a government’s power comes from the
people is the foundation of modern democracy.
“I disapprove of
what you say, but I
will defend to the
death your right to
say it.”
Voltaire
3. Francois Voltaire
Wrote: “Candide”
Published more than 70 books about the
right to free speech.
Promoted civil rights & religious toleration
Believed Enlightened Monarchs were best
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He helped make liberalism
(the philosophy that
emphasizes change,
freedom from tradition and
individual rights) more
popular
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Voltaire criticized the French gov’t and the Catholic Church in
his books and speeches; he was sent to prison twice and exiled
to England for two years.
4. Baron de
Montesquieu
•
Wrote “The Spirit of Laws”
Gov’t should be separated into three
branches: legislative, executive, and
judicial.
“When the legislature
and executive are united
in the same person there
is no liberty.”
Montesquieu
Used as the basis for the structure of
the American gov’t (checks and
balances)
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Rousseau
believed
people are
naturally good
but are
corrupted by
the inequality
of society.
5. Jean Jacques
Rousseau
Wrote “The Social Contract”
People should give up some rights for
the common good.
The
will of the people is good but
individuals should be subordinate to the
community.
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“Man is born free,
but everywhere
he is in chains.”
Two Views
► Democracy –
authority given
to people
► Communismgood of the
community over
the individual
His ideas helped spark the French Revolution.
6. Adam Smith
Wrote “The Wealth of Nations”
The
free market- the natural forces of supply
and demand, should be allowed to operate and
regulate business.
Believed in laissez-faire-allowing business to
operate without gov’t interference.
“It was not by gold or by
silver, but by labor, that all
wealth of the world was
originally purchased.”
Adam Smith
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In her book
A Vindication of the
Rights of Women,
Mary Wollstonecraft
argued that women
needed education to
become virtuous and
useful.
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Women could be doctors and participate in politics,
just like men!
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Mary
Wollstonecraft’s
daughter,
Mary
Wollstonecraft Shelley, would write the classic
novel Frankenstein.
III. Spread of Ideas
The printing press
spread Enlightenment
ideas.
2. Salons- women
organized social
gatherings to exchange
ideas & perspectives
1.
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IV. Enlightened Despots
►
Absolute rulers who used their power to bring
about political and social change.
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Frederick the Great (Prussia), Catherine the Great (Russia),
Joseph II (Austria)
V. Effects
A. Enlightenment
inspired a belief in
personal freedom
and equality.
B. Growth of
democracy.
C. Age of revolution!
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VI. Arts and Literature
Middle class (merchants and town officials) influenced
art and music.
 Baroque: A grand, bright style of art
 Rococo Style: Delicate Porcelain, portraits, tapestries
 Music: Composers- Bach, Mozart, Handel
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
George Frideric Handel
Johann Sebastian Bach[