Chapter 17: The Enlightenment and American Revolution

Section 1: Philosophy in the Age of Reason

Scientific Revolution Sparks the Enlightenment

The Scientific Revolution changed the way Europeans viewed the world

Educated Europeans lived by natural laws: discovered by reason

They studied human behavior to solve societal problems

This evolved into the revolution in thinking known as the Enlightenment

Hobbes and Locke have conflicting views Both of these men were key Enlightenment

thinkers Thomas Hobbes believed in a powerful

government to control people in their natural state

He believed in the Social Contract and in an Absolute Monarchy

In contrast, John Locke believed people were basically good and had natural rights

Locke rejected Absolute Monarchy and favored Democracy

He also believed in the right of the people to overthrow the government if it fails them

His ideas would have an effect on the American Revolution

The Philosophes Some Enlightenment Thinkers applied science to

improve society They believed that the use of reason could

reform all areas of society Baron de Montesquieu studied world

governments and was critical of Absolute Monarchs

In his book The Spirit of the Laws, he argues that the best governments are divided into different branches

(legislative, executive and judicial) Vocab pg 544, 3-5 pg 548

Montesquieu also believed in checks and balances

The most famous philosophe was Voltaire He believed in saying what he thought Despite being exiled by the government and the

Church, he defended the principle of free speech

Denis Diderot produced a set of books called the Encyclopedia

They contained articles by leading thinkers of the day

They were criticized by the government and the church

Despite this, the Encyclopedia influenced Europe and the Americas

Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that people were naturally good, but corrupted by society

He believed that government should be freely elected, but place controls on people (Social Contract)

Philosophes argued that women had natural rights, but were limited to home and family

Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women which argued for the rights of women

New Economic Thinking Economic thinkers were known as physiocrats They believed in a natural law of economics They were anti mercantilist, and favored laissez

faire They supported free trade and were opposed to

tariffs Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations He believed that all aspects of the economy

were fueled by supply and demand He believed in Laissez Faire but believed in

strong governments to protect the citizens

Section 2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread

Enlightenment thinkers found traditional beliefs flawed

The Challenge of New Ideas

All levels of society accepted Enlightenment ideas

Middle-class men met in coffeehouses to discuss new ideas

People began to challenge old ways and wanted to achieve a just society

Pre-enlightenment thinking included

divine right rule

strict class system

heavenly reward for earthly suffering

Post Enlightenment thinking included material well being social justice happiness in this world Enlightenment thinking alarmed both the

Church and the government who believed the old system was put there by God

They began a policy of censorship Despite this Enlightenment writers found ways

to get published Enlightenment thinkers gathered in salons to

share their ideas Salons became places where even women

could share ideas

Enlightened Despots Enlightened Despots were absolute rulers who

used their power to bring about political and social change

Some of these rulers included: Frederick the Great Catherine the Great Joseph II Despite their reforms, these rulers, except

Joseph, maintained absolute power The Arts and Literature Like the rest of society, artists adapted to

changing times

Changes in art, music and literature all reflected the changing mood of society and were opened up to all members of society

Lives of the Majority In western Europe peasant life improved during

the Enlightenment Despite some change, some serfdom survived Vocab pg 550, 3-6 pg 555

Section 3: Birth of the American Republic Britain Becomes a Global Power Several reasons Britain was a global force: -location -climate -most dominate country in Europe -offered free trade with few restrictions King George III re-affirmed royal power and

gave seats in parliament to friends The Colonies in the Mid 1700’s The colonies were very prosperous for Britain They were beginning to develop their own

distinct culture from Britain however

Colonists Express Discontent King George III believed the colonists should

help pay for Britain's costly wars These taxes led to the phrase “no taxation

without representation” Tensions began to elevate between the colonists

and Britain -Boston Massacre -Boston Tea Party Eventually in 1776 the Colonists declare their

independence from England The Declaration of Independence contained key

elements from European Enlightenment thinkers

The American Revolution ContinuesColonists were well outmatched by BritainThey had some advantages however: -geography -determination -Help from FranceEventually in 1781 the colonists prevail and

win the warTreaty of Paris officially ends the warBritain was forced to recognize the

independence of the United StatesVocab pg 557, 3-6 pg 563