The Enlightenment in Europe

Chapter 6 Section 2

Main Ideas

A revolution in intellectual activity changed Europeans’ view of government and society.

The various freedoms enjoyed in many countries today are a result of Enlightenment thinking.

Introduction

New ways of thinking reevaluating old notions

New insight into underlying beliefs regarding: Government Religion Economics Education

Enlightenment

Enlightenment – intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems.

a/k/a Age of Reason Reached its height in the mid-

1700s. Changed many aspects of

Western civilization

Two Views on Government

Hobbes’ Social Contract

Locke’s Natural Rights

Hobbes’ Social Contract

Horrors of the English Civil War convinced him that all humans were naturally: Selfish & Wicked

Governments keep order Without it constant war

People needed to hand over rights to a strong ruler (absolute monarch). They gained law & order, in exchange. Known as social contract.

Locke’s Natural Rights

Believed people could learn from experience and improve themselves.

Criticized absolute monarchy Favored self-government People are born equal and free, with

three natural rights: Life Liberty Property

Natural Rights & Government

Purpose of government Protect the people’s rights

If government doesn’t do so… Citizens will overthrow it

Belief that government comes from people is the foundation of modern democracy.

The Philosophes Advocate Reason

Paris became the meeting place to discuss politics and ideas.

Philosophes = social critics of this period

Apply reason to all aspects of life.

Philosophes’ Five Concepts Five concepts formed the core of their

beliefs: Reason – Truth could be discovered

through reason or logical thinking Nature – Natural was good and

reasonable Happiness – Seek well-being on earth Progress – Society could be perfected Liberty – Society can be set free

Voltaire Combats Intolerance

Used satire against the clergy, aristocrats & government. Using irony & sarcasm

Fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief and freedom of speech

“I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Montesquieu & the Separation of Powers

Montesquieu devoted himself to the study of political liberty.

Division of power among branches of government = separation of powers

Also, developed ideas about checks and balances

Both became the basis for the U.S. Constitution

Rousseau: Champion of Freedom

Committed to individual freedom Argued civilization corrupted people’s

natural goodness. Government should be freely formed

by the people and guided by the “general will” of society. Direct Democracy

Rousseau’s ideas inspired many of the leaders of the French Revolution who overthrew the monarchy in 1789.

Women and the Enlightenment

Philosophes Traditional view toward women

Rousseau believed that women should have an education. HOWEVER, he believed they should

be educated on how to be a helpful wife & mother.

Other men scolded women for reading novels. Wickedness and idleness

Discussion Question

What roles are women expected to play in society today?

What about men? Have the roles changed a lot?

Status of Women

Mary Astell – writer Addressed the lack of

educational opportunities for women.

Argued for gender equality. “If all men are born free, how

is that all women are born slaves?”

Mary Wollstonecraft

A Vindication of the Rights of Women

Argued women need education to become virtuous and useful.

Encouraged women to enter male dominated fields – medicine and politics

Legacy of the Enlightenment

Turn to pages 199-200 in your text. Read the paragraphs under Legacy of

the Enlightenment. Outline the paragraphs using the

following format. I. Main Heading (Topic)

A. Important Fact or Main Idea 1. Supporting detail

a. Specific detail