THE ENLIGHTENMEN

T

Chapter 10

Section 2, 3, & 4

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 PHILOSOPHERSJohn Locke tabula rasa – “blank mind”

People are molded by the experience that came through their senses from the surrounding world.

Born good and equal Government’s role – to protect people’s

natural rightsPeople consent to their governmentPeople have the right to overthrow their

government Two Treatises on Government

Born with natural rights - “life, liberty, and property”

Philosophes

Montes-

quieu

Voltaire

Smith

Rousseau

Diderot

Wollstone-craft

Beccaria

THE PHILOSOPHERSMontesquieu Spirit of the Laws (1748) 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 PHILOSOPHERS

Diderot Encyclopedia, or Classified Dictionary

of the Sciences, Arts, and Trades “change the general way of thinking”

28 Volumes, written between 1751 and 1772

became a weapon against old French society

sold to doctors, teachers, clergymen, and lawyers

THE PHILOSOPHERS

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.

believed emotions as well as reason were important to human development.

THE PHILOSOPHERS

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?

Do you think the philosophers were successful in improving society? Why or why not?

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 was the social and political system

before the enlightenment? How did rulers incorporate

enlightenment ideas? Were they truly enlightened? Why or

why not?

IMPACT OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Were the Enlightened despots really enlightened?

Support your answer with an example from each country in your group.

ENLIGHTENED ABSOLUTISM

PRUSSIARulers: Frederick William

Frederick II

Social system: serfdom, nobles serve in army (civil service)

Political system: military power house, absolute monarchy

Enlightenment reforms: Frederick II – abolished torture, more freedom of speech, religious toleration

AUSTRIARulers:Maria Theresa

Joseph II

Social system: serfdom, favored landowning nobility, many languages, religions and cultures

Political system: absolute monarchy

Enlightenment reforms: Maria Theresa - ease on serf’s restrictions. Joseph II – eliminated death penalty, equality before the law, religious reforms and toleration

RUSSIA

Rulers:Catherine II (The Great)

Social system: serfdom, favored landowning nobility

Political system: absolute monarchy, great territorial expansion

Enlightenment reforms: ease on serf’s restrictions, attempted new law code (more equality under the law)

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

WAR OF AUSTRIAN SUCCESSION Maria Theresa not seen as a legitimate

ruler Prussia invades Silesia Fought in three areas of the world –

Europe – Austria vs. Prussia over SilesiaAsia – France took Madras from BritishNorth America – French vs. British for Fort

Louisbourg Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle

Everything returned except Silesia

Team Austria

Team Prussia

Old Alliances

(War of Austrian Succession)

1. Austria

2. Great Britain

1. Prussia

2. France

New Alliances

(Seven Years’ War)

1. Austria

2. France

3. Russia

1. Prussia

2. Great Britain

SEVEN YEARS’ WAR

War in Europe Prussian known for

strong military

Gradually worn down to a stalemate

Russia withdrew

Ended with peace and all lands returned except for Silesia

Austria accepted defeat

War in Asia Britain v France Struggle for India and

colonial domination British won (more

persistent) Treaty of Paris

SEVEN YEARS’ WAR

War in North America British v. French Differences in set up of colonies Fought over two main areas

Gulf of St. LawrenceOhio River Valley

Clash with the Native Americans British prevailed over French in the

naval battles Ended with the Treaty of Paris and

British domination over American territory

EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTIONName two enlightenment ideas that

influenced the founding documents of the United States. Include the idea, which philosopher it came from, and how we incorporated it. (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