Presentation Transcript

1. The Ideas of the EnlightenmentSystems of order, such as law and government, contribute to stable societies. During the 1700s, many Europeans believed that reason could not be used to make government and society better. Chapter 11, Section 2
2. Standards to know… WH7.11 – Students analyze political and economic change in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. WH7.10.3 – Understand the scientific method advanced by Bacon and Descartes, the influence of new scientific rationalism on the growth of democratic ideas, and the coexistence of science with traditional religious beliefs. WH7.11.4 – Explain how the main ideas of the Enlightenment can be traced back to such movements as the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution and to the Greeks, Romans, and Christianity.
3. New Ideas About Politics Main idea: During the 1700s, many Europeans believed that reason could be used to make government and society better. Impressed by scientific discoveries of natural world Believed reason could uncover scientific laws that governed human life, leading to a better society As Scientific Revolution advanced, educated Europeans believed reason was a better guide than tradition/faith Reason was “light” that revealed error and truth 1700s became known as Age of Enlightenment
4. European thinkers during the Age of Enlightenment believed they were entering a new era of thought/ideas, still based on older traditions (Greeks/Romans) Reason and analysis (Greek) Systems of order (Romans) Renaissance and Reformation led to Scientific Revolution which led to Enlightenment Religion (Christianity) played role in Enlightenment Methods for gaining knowledge compared Political thinkers tried to apply reason/scientific ideas to government, claiming that there was a natural law Thomas Hobbes and John Locke used natural law to develop different ideas about how government should work
5. Who Was Thomas Hobbes? English writer of government/society During life, country torn apart by civil war concerning ideas of Parliament vs. total monarch power Led to execution of King Charles I Hobbes shocked (supported monarchy), wrote Leviathan, arguing that natural law made absolute monarchy the best form of government Humans naturally selfish/violent and couldn’t be trusted to make decisions Needed to obey a government (strong ruler/king) with power of a leviathan (sea monster)
6. Why is John Locke Important? Son of lawyer and cavalry soldier, who used connections to get him an education that led to working for government and writing his own political ideas Contradicted Hobbes, used natural law to affirm basic democratic ideas (citizens’ rights, government answerable to the people) During life, “Glorious Revolution” occurred King James II challenged Parliament for absolute monarchy, but fled and daughter/son-in-law took throne and agreed to a Bill of Rights Guaranteed all English people basic rights (like the Magna Carta did for nobles) Fair trial by jury and freedom from cruel/unusual punishment Locke explained ideas of Glorious Revolution in book Two Treatises of Government Argued against absolute rule (king), government should be based on natural law (which gave people certain natural rights at birth…Life, Liberty, right to own property) Believed purpose of government is to protect rights, based on a social contract, do your job and we won’t revolt Eventually fled to Holland, believing his ideas were dangerous, until after Glorious Revolution Thought people’s minds were blank, and society shapes them, so if people could make society better, people could be better
7. Who was Baron Montesquieu? French thinker, published The Spirit of Laws Admired England’s government (better than French/absolute monarchy), said that England’s government was best because of separation of powers (divided among executive, legislative, judicial branches) Separate powers keeps government from becoming too powerful/threatening people’s rights
8. Who were important influences on Enlightenment thinkers? What did Thomas Hobbes and John Locke agree on? What event influenced John Locke’s ideas? How does this event differ from the ones that influenced Hobbes’s ideas? How did Baron Montesquieu want government organized?
9. The French Philosophes Main idea: The Enlightenment was centered in France, where thinkers wrote about changing their society and met to discuss their ideas. As Enlightenment spread, French thinkers became known as philosophe, and many were writers, teachers, journalists, observers of society Wanted to use reason to change society Attacked superstition/unreasoned beliefs Disagreed with church leaders in opposition to scientific discoveries Believed in freedom of speech, right to liberty Wrote/spread ideas across Europe
10. Who was Voltaire? AKA François-Marie Arouet Greatest thinker of Enlightenment, wrote many novels, plays, letters, essays that brought him fame/wealth Known for strong dislike of Roman Catholic Church Blamed leaders for keeping knowledge from people in order tomaintain power Opposed government supporting one religion while forbidding others, thought people should be free to choose Supported deism
11. Who was Denis Diderot? French philosophe who, with the help of friends, did the most to spread Enlightenment ideas Published 28-volume encyclopedia (took 20 years to complete!) The Encyclopedia had a range of topics and became a weapon in fight against tradition Articles attacked superstition, supported freedom of religion, called for changes in society Goal to make society more just/caring
12. The Enlightenment and Women Enlightenment raised questions about women in society (previously, women believed to be less important than men and needed to be protected/ controlled) Most powerful supporter of women’s rights was writer Mary Wollstonecraft Sought to eliminate inequality in education Credited as founder of modern movements for women’s rights Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women Claimed that all humans have reason, and should therefore, have equal rights (in education, workplace, political life)
13. Rousseau’s Social Contract Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a European thinker who criticized Enlightenment ideas Claimed advocates of Enlightenment relied too much on reason, and should, rather, pay attention to feelings Human beings were naturally good, civilized life just corrupted them, and people should live simpler lives, closer to nature Published book The Social Contract, which presented his political ideas A workable government should be based on a social contract/agreement in which everyone in society agrees to be governed by the general will (wants as a whole)
14. THINK… How is Diderot’s encyclopedia similar and different from a modern encyclopedia? Compare Voltaire’s ideas to those of Rousseau. Who were the French philosophers? (not names, but descriptions/jobs) Why did Enlightenment thinkers believe that reason could be used to make government and society better? Which of the Enlightenment thinkers discussed in this section do you think had the most impact on modern society?
15. For next time… John Locke Magna Carta divine dight estates popular sovereignty bourgeoisie absolutism Burgesses representative government Bill of Rights