the Enlightenment

thinkers

10.2.1 philosophers and revolution

• Compare the ideas of the enlightenment philosophers

• Compare how their ideas effected the democratic revolutions in England, the United States, France, and Latin America

• Specifically look at: John Locke, Charles-Louis Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Simón Bolívar, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison

18th century (1700’s)Intellectual Movementthinkers and writers believed they

were more enlightened than everyone else and set out to enlighten them.

They believed that human reason could be used to build a better world by combatting ignorance, superstition, and tyranny

some of their most enthusiastic supporters were the rich and idle

The Scientific Revolution

Buy, before we compare the ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers, lets go back to the 17th century (1600’s) and the return to the Greco-Roman ideas of using logic and reason to understand the universe

The Scientific Revolution In the 1600’s,

Galileo Galilei used logic and observation to prove the idea that the earth rotates around the sun.

Skepticism

René Descartes attempted to use reason to shore up his faith.

I think, therefore I am

Revolution and Enlightenment in England

King William and Queen Mary

The British Parliament decapitated King James II during the Glorious Revolution

The monarchy was restored by William of Orange (Dutch)

Revolution and Enlightenment in England

King William and Queen Mary

This opened the way for change.

How? What kind of change?

Thomas Hobbes

the life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short

Thomas Hobbes

To avoid this, they must give up their freedom and rights to a strong ruler

government must have absolute power and demand obedience

If humans are left to their own devices, they will live in a perpetual state of war.

His book, the Leviathan influenced political thinking for 200 years

John Locke

• one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers

People are born with natural rights

John Locke

• People can govern themselves.

• Governments’ role is to protect natural rights; if the government fails to do so, citizens have the right to overthrow it.

John Locke

• Influenced the struggles for liberty in Europe and the Americas.

• His ideas appear in the Declaration of Independence

New Core European Values individualis

m freedom change

CommunityAuthorityTradition

Obstacles to change

Despotism Absolute

monarchy The church Doctrine of the

"divine right of kings"

Louis XIV

“I may not agree with what you have to say,

but I'll defend to the death your right to

say it.”

Voltaire

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

Voltaire

He believed educated and sophisticated people (the aristocracy) could exercise their reason to improve the world.

I really don’t have much faith in theordinary person

Rousseau believed otherwise

Jean-Jacques Rousseau shunned the aristocracy

Believed all people are equal and titles of nobility should be abolished

Rousseau believed otherwise

Believed legitimate government comes from the consent of the governed.

Inspired many of the leaders of the French Revolution.

Charles-Louis Montesquieu

Separation of Powers -keeps any individual or group from gaining total control of the government.

Each branch has a check on the other two.

The Basis of the US Constitution.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Women need education to become virtuous and useful.

Women should have the right to participate in politics.

Influenced women’s rights groups in Europe and North America.

Philosophes

These rebellious thinkers were known as the philosophes

Thomas Jefferson

Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Thomas Jefferson

Free Speech, religious freedom, and other civil liberties.

Author of the Declaration of Independence.

Voltaire vs. Aristocrat equality not

possible Charming and

witty supremacy of the

intellect

Shunned the aristocracy

inequality unnatural Always claimed to be

right emphasized the

emotions

Rousseau

What they shared

1. Viewed absolute monarchy as dangerous

2. Rejected orthodox Christianity3. Shared a minimalist faith called

"deism ” The God in the Declaration of

Independence comes from this deist thinking

English & French influences France felt

more resistance to liberty from the church and king

Englands’ Glorious Revolution (1688) made way for democracy.

American intellectual leaders like Jefferson, Franklin, and Paine were drawn to Enlightenment ideas(1776)

Simon Bolivar

Inspired by Enlightenment thinkers to rebel against Spain.

Followed the British and American systems of government in creating the Republic of Venezuela.

Thoughts on the Enlightenment

Was it merely a brief moment when a number of thinkers infatuated with reason vainly supposed that a perfect society could be built on common sense and tolerance?

Thoughts on the Enlightenment

Or did it form a consensus of international ideals by which all modern nations areJudged?

• Human rights• Religious tolerance • Self-government