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Enlightenment Thinkers and Democratic Movements: A Historical Perspective

Explore how Enlightenment ideas shaped democratic revolutions in Europe and America, from Montesquieu to the French Revolution, and how modern movements continue the struggle for democracy globally. Learn about key figures like Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire and their impact on political thought and governance. Witness the influence of Enlightenment principles on the American Constitution and the French Revolution, and understand the ongoing fight for democracy as seen in the United Nations' advocacy and movements in former Soviet Union and South Africa.

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Enlightenment Thinkers and Democratic Movements: A Historical Perspective

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  1. The Enlightenment and Democratic Revolutions Prologue Sec 4

  2. I Enlightenment thinkers and Ideas • Apply reason and science to all aspects of life • Combined ideas of: 1. Ancient Greece – Natural Laws 2. Christianity/Judaism – Equality of People 3. Renaissance – Worldly Concerns 4. Scientific Revolution – rational thought over traditional Beliefs (Scientific Method)

  3. C. Hobbes (Leviathan) the social contract – People give up rights for Safety—a neg. view of humanity D. Locke – (Two treatise on Government) – Natural Rights – absolute right to overthrow bad government—he had a more optimistic view

  4. E. Voltaire – Free Speech and Religion--tolerance F. Rousseau – Free individuals create a government that responds to people’s will, Wrote The Social Contract

  5. G. Montesquieu –Separation of Powers 1. Legislature – Make laws 2. Executive – Enforce Laws 3. Courts – To interpret laws

  6. II. Beginnings of Democracy in America A. Americans Protest British Policies after French and Indian War. England 1. put tax burden on colonies for cost of war 2. put more soldiers in colonies 3 would not let colonists settle west of Appalachian Mountains 4. did not let colonies have representation in Parliament--Taxation w/out representation

  7. B. Americans Win Independence (1775 – 1781)

  8. C. Enlightenment Ideas shape the Constitution (1789) 1. Representative Govt. 2. Federal system – Central, State and Local Govt. 3. 3 branches of govt.

  9. III. The French Revolution • Causes of Revolution 1. Louis XVI was a weak leader 2. Unfair tax burden on Poor 3. Peasants thought govt. did not care about them

  10. B. Early Reforms of the Revolution 1. Declaration of Rights of Man – Citizens basic rights 2. Reformed Courts 3. Constitution calling for Limited Monarchy

  11. C. Reforms Undone 1. Outside monarchies went to war with France 2. Reign of Terror 3. Eventually becomes a dictatorship to control chaos due to lack of leadership

  12. III. Struggle for Democracy Continues • United Nations promotes democracy – set worldwide standard for how humans should be treated (1948) • New Movements toward democracy 1. Former Soviet Union (15 new Nations) 2. South Africa

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