Enlightenment

Enlightenment

By Mr. Bond

1750-1850

What was the Enlightenment?

A philosophical movement in Europe during the 18th century which proposed the idea that reason was the primary source of authority and legitimacy. Enlightenment thinkers advocated such ideals as liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government, and separation of church and state.

1750-1850

Who led the Enlightenment?

Curious and experimental philosophers, scientists and tinkerers who became fascinated with thinking creatively and critically by applying scientific inquiry into to the problems of their world.

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Mostly the middle class & certain aristocrats who found new ideas fascinating. ​ Not embraced by the average person.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best represents what the Enlightenment was?

• A time period where Europeans turned away from science.

• A time period where Europeans embraced eastern philosophy and Buddhism

• A time period in European history where reason ruled.

• A time period where passions and emotions propelled change.

Multiple Choice

Having watched the video on Diderot's Encyclopedia - Please choose the answer that best describes why the Encyclopedia was so controversial when it was published.

• It was published in French which was not the standard language for publications

• It questioned the authority of kings and the Catholic church which led to revolutionary thinking.

• It demonstrated that material wealth was the most important goal that any rational person would pusue.

• It was written illegally and published secretly.

To understand the Enlightenment we must imagine living in Paris in the mid 18th century where the Enlightenment kicked off. And nothing is more Enlightened and French than Diderot's Encyclopedia.

1750-1778 - The French Enlightenment

Denis Diderot & The Encyclopedia

What did wealthy Parisians dress like?

What did Working Parisians dress like?

Open Ended

What did you find most surprising about the fashion of the wealthy versus the fashion of the common folk in France in the 18th century?

​As the Enlightenment spread revolutionary thinking wealthy aristocrats enjoyed lavish living at the palace of the French Kings (The Bourbons). What was life at Versailles like?

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The Palace at Versailles

​When you get to this spot - stop and let us know - we have a video we will all watch.

Poll

Would you have liked to have lived at Versailles?

• Yes - it would have been amazing.

• Maybe - but it was not as amazing as I imagined

• I don't think so - but I guess if I wanted to have power I might have to.

• No way - Versailles was a trap for the aristocracy.

​Life in Paris and at Versailles seems to many of ur to be perfect - but upon close inspection - Versailles was a trap and the Enlightenment was the revolutionary movement that was driven by improving the story that was 18th century France. Think about how revolutionary Diderot's work was for France & Europe.

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So - back to the Encyclopedia

Multiple Choice

How did the Encyclopedia organize all of the world knowledge?

• Into three categories (Memory, Reason, and Imagination)

• Into five categories (who, what, when, where, why and how)

• Into three books (The start, the middle, The End)

• Into three categories (Reason, Faith and Hope)

Open Ended

Having learned a little bit more about how life was like for French upper, middle and lower classes why do you think the Enlightenment became such a big deal for so many French middle class and aristocratic people?

Open Ended

Do you have any questions about the Enlightenment in France and Denis Diderot's Encyclopedia?

Poll

How did you like this self directed lesson?

• I enjoyed it a lot and feel like I really understand things better.

• I enjoyed it and it helped me understand.

• It was ok - but I have questions

• I did not much enjoy learning this way.