New Ideas

Free Thinkers• Many bourgeoisie met together to discuss new ideas and how to make France better

• Hated the Monarchy (King/Queen)

• Wanted Democracy

• Reduce the power of the Church Some wanted no religion

• This age of new thinking became know as “The Enlightenment”

Science• Many felt that science was the future

• No need to turn to religion anymore for answers

• Any belief had to stand up to reason to be accepted

Rousseau• Jean Jacques Rousseau

• Society need a “Social Contract” Everyone in society needed

to agree to this

• Felt people were naturally good But that goodness was

destroyed by the government and society

Montesquieu•Monarchs should have to work with elected governments

•But did not want to get rid of the monarchs

•His ideas were not well received by monarchs

Voltaire• Most famous of the three

• Most radical

• 100% against the church

• Full freedom of thought and speech

• Felt the monarchy still had an important role to play

• Had to flee several times from France to avoid jail

• Most of his books were banned

Character Profiles• Continue your character profiles

• Adding the 3 thinkers

• Should have 7 total now