THE ENLIGHTENMENT IN EUROPE

p. 195-201
OBJECTIVES
Explain the ideas of Hobbes and Locke and
other enlightenment philosophers
Describe women in the enlightenment
Explain the legacy of the Enlightenment
Remember Understand Apply Analyze Create
Enlightenment
Social contract
John Locke
Philosophe
Voltaire
Montesquieu
Rousseau
Mary
Wollstonecraft

The differences
and reasoning
behind Hobbes
and Lockes
views on
government.
How
Enlightenment
ideas can be
examined from
more than one
perspective
What
responsibilities
we have as
citizen
according to
the philosophes
What aspects
of the
enlightenment
do we see in
America today?
What rights
would you be
willing to give
up for
protection
under the a
government?
The Enlightenment prompted the
reevaluation of old ways and notions of
society.
They started to look for new ways of thinking in
Government
Religion
Economics
Education
TWO VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT
Thomas Hobbes Social Contract
Lived through English Civil War
Believed all people were naturally wicked/selfish
Thought people should give up certain rights to
the government and strong rule
Total control was need to keep citizens under control
In exchange they gained law, order, and safety
Absolute Monarchy was his choice of government
TWO VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT
John Lockes Natural Rights
Though people were could learn and better themselves
Favored self-government
People are born free and equal with natural rights
Life Liberty Property
Governments job is to protect those rights
If they fail, the people should overthrow
Power of the government comes from the people
THE PHILOSOPHES ADVANCE REASON
Philosophes believed that reason could be applied to all aspects of life
Truth could be discovered through
logical thinking
Reason
What was natural was good and
reasonable
Nature
Rejected medieval notion that people
should find joy in the hereafter and
seek well-being on earth
Happiness
Stressed that society and
human kind could improve
Progress
Called for liberties that the
English had gained in the
Glorious Revolution and Bill
of Rights
Liberty
VOLTAIRE COMBATS INTOLERANCE
Francois Marie Arout uses the pen name Voltaire
Publishes 70+ books of
Political essay
Philosophy
Drama
Uses satire to attack
Clergy
Aristocracy
Government
Exiled to England
for 2 years
Imprisoned twice
by the French
Monarchy
I do not agree
with a word you
say, but I will
defend to the
death your right
to say it.
MONTESQUIEU AND THE SEPARATION OF POWERS
Believed England had the
best form of government
Executive
King
Judicial
Judges
Legislative
Parliament
ROUSSEAU: CHAMPION OF FREEDOM
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Committed to personal freedom
Believed civilization corrupted peoples
natural goodness
Only way was a direct democracy
Rousseaus social contract
Free individuals create a society and a government
Nobility should be abolished
BECCARIA PROMOTES SOCIAL JUSTICE
Cesare Bonesana Beccaria
Laws should preserve social
order, not just avenge crimes
Spoke out against
Torture
Irregular processing in trial
Cruel punishment
Long trials
Capital punishment
WOMEN IN THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Many enlightenment thinkers
forgot about women
Mary Wollstonecraft
Argued that education for women
should be equal
Women should be in fields such as
Medicine
Politics
LEGACY OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Though the philosophes were not revolutions, their ideas inspired many to become ones

Belief in progress
Growth in knowledge
quickened
Importance of individual
People began to look to
themselves
A more secular outlook
Began to question the
teaching and belief of the
church
Also tried to rid religion of
superstition and fear