Enlightenment

The Enlightenment

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What is the Enlightenment?

• 18th century intellectual movement

• An attempt to apply the Scientific Revolution to society

• By using the principles of the Scientific Revolution, it was hoped that society could improve

Foundations of the Enlightenment

Newton and others in the Scientific Revolution created the idea of something called natural laws, laws that nature follows (e.g. gravity causes things to fall). Could these things exist in society as well?

Natural Laws –the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

How did the Enlightenment spread?

Of course the printing press is involved here. The philosophes (the big thinkers of the Enlightenment) published books, plays, newspapers, and many other things to promote their ideas.

The Encyclopedie

• Published by Denis Diderot 

• First encyclopedia

• Attempt to collect all human knowledge in one place

• Over 7000 articles in 28 volumes

The salon was a place where people would read and discuss the latest and greatest works by the philosophes. There were large social events ran by women. The most famous and prestigious salon was run by Madame Geoffrin.

Censorship

Rulers opposed publishing of many of these works. Absolute rulers don't like people writing about the rights there citizens should have. Because of this, books and pamphlets were often produced and circulated in secret. Many famous writers would be sent to jail for their writings 

Influence of Ideas

Regardless of attempts to control the spread of information, the thoughts and ideas of these philosophes spread across Europe and the world. They would motivate revolutions in several countries, most notably France and the Thirteen Colonies.

Multiple Choice

What is the term given to a philosopher from the Enlightenment?

• philosophe

• galaxy brain

• philosopher

• big thinker

Multiple Choice

Who is the author of the Encyclopedie?

• Madam Geoffrin

• Denis Diderot

• Isaac Newton

• John Locke

Fill in the Blanks

The Philosophes

Now that we have a basic understanding of the Enlightenment, let's learn a little about four of the philosophes.

John Locke

• English philosopher, John Locke (1632 – 1704) was a major figure of the Enlightenment

• He believed that all people were born free and equal and therefore, all people have natural rights:

• RIGHT TO LIFE

  RIGHT TO LIBERTY

  RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY

• If government takes these natural rights then you should rebel

John Locke & Government

• John Locke wanted the government to be run on the idea of liberalism (based on the freedom of the individual)

• He wanted power to be in the hands of the people

• BUT, he believed that political institutions (like a Parliament) should represent the needs of the people rather than every individual actually having power

• In exchange for this power, the government/parliament should respect the natural rights of all citizens

Voltaire & Freedom of Belief

• French philosopher, Voltaire (1694 – 1778), believed that the government did not have the right to force the people to follow a specific religion

• He believed that individuals should have the right to believe whatever they want to believe

• He also believed that people should be free to express enlightened beliefs

Montesquieu & Separation of Power

• French philosopher, Baron de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755), believed that the power should be divided between the King and a series of other assemblies and/or councils:

• He believed that the King should have executive power (to apply laws)

• Smaller assemblies/councils should have legislative power (to make laws) and judicial power (ensuring laws are followed)

• People must be involved in their government or face the consequences!

Rousseau & Sovereignty

• Genevan philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778) took Locke’s ideas even further

• He also believed that all people were created free and equal

• He also believed that sovereignty (power) should belong to people

• BUT for Rousseau, he argued that the government only has power if the people decide to allow the government to have power

• This is called the social contract

Rousseau & the General Will

• The social contract between people and the government should be through democracy

• This reflects the general will of the people as a whole, not just some people

• The general will is the will of the people and revealed through everyone's vote

• If the needs of the people are not met, according to Rousseau, the people had the right to revolt

Multiple Choice

Which of the following promoted the natural rights like life, liberty, and property?

• John Locke

• Voltaire

• Montesquieu

• Rousseau

Multiple Choice

Who wrote about the separation of powers?

• John Locke

• Voltaire

• Montesquieu

• Rousseau

Multiple Choice

This philosophe promoted the concept of the general will?

• John Locke

• Voltaire

• Montesquieu

• Rousseau

Multiple Choice

Freedom of thought, speech, and religion was heavily promoted by...

• John Locke

• Voltaire

• Montesquieu

• Rousseau

Multiple Select

Which of the following thought people have the right to rebel against the government if they don't protect your natural rights?

• John Locke

• Voltaire

• Montesquieu

• Rousseau

Multiple Choice

Concept that the government only has the powers granted to it by the people

• General will

• Encyclopedie

• Social contract

• Natural rights

That's all folks!

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