Age of Enlightenment in

Europe

Chapter 22

Enlightenment Defined

• A revolution in intellectual activity changing the European view of government & society

• Began in the 1600s

The Enlightenment in Europe

• Influenced by Scientific Revolution

• Led to idea that…

–Reason could apply to laws governing humanity…

–In areas of religion, government, economy & education

Conflicting Theories & England’s Political Turmoil

• Thomas Hobbes theories favoring absolutism

versus

• John Locke protection of the natural rights

(i.e.democratic freedoms)

Thomas Hobbes: Absolutist

• Citizens gave up natural rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law & order…

• Ideas were published in Leviathan, 1651

XC TOPIC: Leviathan by 3/22XC TOPIC: Leviathan by 3/22

Charles I ruled 1625-1649

• Lost the civil war with Parliament

• Issue: Absolutism in Government

XC:Bio sketch on Charles I by 3/22XC:Bio sketch on Charles I by 3/22

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

• Reacted to violence of civil war

• Leviathan was too secular for the exiles who threatened to murder him

Charles IIr. (1660-1685)

• Protected Hobbes…but

• Parliament censored his works & called him a heretic*

XC: Charles IIXC: Charles II

John Locke (1632-1704)

• Citizens are reasonable beings with capacity to…

– govern themselves –look after welfare of society–learn from experience

John Locke

• Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1697(artist)

• Hermitage

James II(r. 1685-1688)

• Anti-Catholic Whig Party opposed his rule

• Helped overthrow him in 1688

• Locke was a Whig

Glorious Revolution, 1688

• James II overthrown

• Constitutional monarchy in England– Rule of law applies to rulers

• Barred Catholics from throneXC: Details of Glorious Rev by 3/23XC: Details of Glorious Rev by 3/23

Two Treatises on Government, 1690

• Written in defense of the Glorious Revolution…– & to counter Hobbes

• Citizens have right to overthrow unjust government

XC Presentation by 3/24XC Presentation by 3/24

Joint Rulers: 1689 Whig Parliament appointed William III & Mary II

(Protestants)

They had to accept the Bill of Rights before the coronationThey had to accept the Bill of Rights before the coronation

Religion & Politics In Britain

• Issues largely settled by end of 17th century– Parliament held real power after

1689

• Catholics had no rights until 1829– Still barred from inheriting throne

End of Part I