Enlightenment & Revolution

Enlightenment“Age of Reason”Philosophical movement in the 18th

century.Rejection of traditional social,

religious, & political ideas.Emphasis on rationalism &

individuality.

Philosophes

Social critics in France during the 1700sMet in salons

Influenced by England

Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations (1776) Economist: pro-capitalist Gov shouldn’t regulate—Laissez-Faire

Defines economics in three “natural laws”

1. Productive when “self-motivated”2. Competition = Balanced marketplace3. Supply/Demand are product of free

trade

Thomas Hobbes English Philosopher –

writes Leviathan (1651) Man is evil Strong gov (Absolute)

People have no rightsNo right to rebel

Social ContractGive up certain

rights=order in society

John Locke English –Two Treatises of Government

(1690) & Declaration of Rights of Man (1690)

Against absolute ruleSelf-government by peopleMen are born equal and freeNatural Rights

Gov should protect rights If they don’t = Revolution

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Swiss-Frenchman The Social Contract

(1762) Individual freedom of

people Direct Democracy Also used Social

Contract Inspired French Rev

Voltaire

Candide (1759)

Fought for religious freedom and freedom of speech

MontesquieuFrench nobleman –The Spirit of Laws

(1748)

Separation of Powers (Checks & Balances)England’s System of Government

King/Ministers – Executive PowerParliament – Legislative PowerJudges – Judicial Power

Idea later became basis for the US Constitution

Casare Beccaria

Italian, On Crimes and Punishments (1764)

Speak out in favor of fair and just punishments (No brutality)

People have the right to:Fair & speedy trialNot be torturedNo capital punishment.

Mary Wollstonecraft

English womanA Vindication of the

Rights of Women (1792)Same rights as menEducation

Enlightened Despots

Kings or queens who rule with Enlightenment idealsFrederick the GreatMaria Theresa Joseph II of Austria Catherine the Great