The Age of The Age of EnlightenmentEnlightenment

The Philosophes:The Philosophes:

Political Scientists & Political Scientists & Their Ideas On Their Ideas On GovernmentGovernment

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment Scientific Revolution encouraged Scientific Revolution encouraged

philosophers to reevaluate old beliefsphilosophers to reevaluate old beliefs The Enlightenment: an intellectual The Enlightenment: an intellectual

movement that stressed reason & movement that stressed reason & thought and that people can improve thought and that people can improve societysociety

Created much change & huge impact Created much change & huge impact on Western civilizationon Western civilization

The Enlightenment began w/ 2 great The Enlightenment began w/ 2 great political thinkers of 1600spolitical thinkers of 1600s(Hobbes & Locke)(Hobbes & Locke)

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes1588-16791588-1679

Thomas Hobbes:1588-1679Thomas Hobbes:1588-1679 Country: EnglandCountry: England Believed all humans are naturally born selfish & wickedBelieved all humans are naturally born selfish & wicked

When society is left to itself it becomes a “giant When society is left to itself it becomes a “giant monster” monster”

Without governments to keep order there will be Without governments to keep order there will be “war…of every man against every man”“war…of every man against every man”

People hand over rights to a strong ruler who will keep People hand over rights to a strong ruler who will keep law & orderlaw & order

Best Government is Best Government is Absolute MonarchyAbsolute Monarchy Ruler needs total power to keep citizens under Ruler needs total power to keep citizens under

control (b/c people are selfish)control (b/c people are selfish) Social Contract: agreement between the people Social Contract: agreement between the people

& their government& their government INFLUENCED Absolute monarchies & INFLUENCED Absolute monarchies &

dictatorshipsdictatorships

John LockeJohn Locke1632-17041632-1704

CountryCountry: England: England Views on Human Nature:Views on Human Nature:

““blank slate of the mind”: all people are born blank slate of the mind”: all people are born free & equalfree & equal

People learn from experiences & can improve People learn from experiences & can improve themselvesthemselves

People are reasonable & have naturally have People are reasonable & have naturally have the ability to govern their own affairsthe ability to govern their own affairs

Thought citizens should form their own Thought citizens should form their own government (hated absolute monarchy)government (hated absolute monarchy)

Locke (cont.)Locke (cont.) Views on Government:Views on Government:

All people are born with All people are born with natural rights:natural rights: Life, Liberty,& Property Life, Liberty,& Property

People lend their power to the governmentPeople lend their power to the government Purpose of Government: To protect these natural Purpose of Government: To protect these natural

rights rights If the government does not protect natural rights, If the government does not protect natural rights,

citizens have the right to take back their power citizens have the right to take back their power (overthrow the government)(overthrow the government)

Influenced: France, England, the American colonies Influenced: France, England, the American colonies (revolutions)(revolutions)

The PhilosophesThe Philosophes(French for Philosopher)(French for Philosopher)

Mid 1700s- Enlightenment reaches its heights in FranceMid 1700s- Enlightenment reaches its heights in France Paris was center meeting place for people to discuss Paris was center meeting place for people to discuss

ideas & politicsideas & politics Philosophes=social critics during this periodPhilosophes=social critics during this period

5 Core Beliefs of Philosophes5 Core Beliefs of Philosophes ReasonReason: truth can be discovered through logic & : truth can be discovered through logic &

reasonreason NatureNature: what was natural was also good & : what was natural was also good &

reasonablereasonable HappinessHappiness: seek happiness now (don’t wait for : seek happiness now (don’t wait for

heaven)heaven) ProgressProgress: society & people can improve: society & people can improve LibertyLiberty: called for all people to have the liberties the : called for all people to have the liberties the

English had won in their Glorious Rev. & Bill of RightsEnglish had won in their Glorious Rev. & Bill of Rights

Baron D’ Montesquieu Baron D’ Montesquieu 1689-17551689-1755

Country: Country: FranceFrance Considered Considered the “Founder of Political Science”the “Founder of Political Science” Most important Ideas:Most important Ideas:

Views on Government:Views on Government: Separation of Separation of Powers: Powers: Power must be Power must be

““checked and balanced” so that no one checked and balanced” so that no one group/person has too much power group/person has too much power

Basis for the U.S. Constitution & 3 branches of Basis for the U.S. Constitution & 3 branches of government (foundation of our gov’t system)government (foundation of our gov’t system)

Influenced: American colonies, many gov’t Influenced: American colonies, many gov’t around worldaround world

VoltaireVoltaire1694-17781694-1778

Country:Country: France France Most influential of all philosophes (used satire to against his Most influential of all philosophes (used satire to against his

opponents)opponents) Most Important Ideas:Most Important Ideas:

Targeted the clergy, aristocracy, & gov’tTargeted the clergy, aristocracy, & gov’t Thought organized religion spread intoleranceThought organized religion spread intolerance EncouragedEncouraged

FREEDOM OF RELIGIONFREEDOM OF RELIGION *REASON (not *REASON (not superstition)superstition)

FREEDOM OF SPEECHFREEDOM OF SPEECH *TOLERANCE*TOLERANCE INFLUENCED INFLUENCED the U.S. Bill of Rights (1the U.S. Bill of Rights (1STST AMENDMENT) & AMENDMENT) &

future democratic governmentsfuture democratic governments

Jean Jacques Jean Jacques RousseauRousseau1712-17781712-1778

Country:Country: Switzerland Switzerland MAIN IDEASMAIN IDEAS

The only good government is formed freely by the “general The only good government is formed freely by the “general will” of the people (direct democracy)will” of the people (direct democracy)

Thought “social contract” was an agreement between free Thought “social contract” was an agreement between free individuals to create a society & government (not Hobbes’ individuals to create a society & government (not Hobbes’ idea of agreement b/w people & government)idea of agreement b/w people & government)

Agreed with Locke: the people should decide the best form Agreed with Locke: the people should decide the best form of governmentof government

INFLUENCED: constitutions, Bill of Rights, many gov’tsINFLUENCED: constitutions, Bill of Rights, many gov’ts

Cesare Beccaria Cesare Beccaria 1738-17941738-1794

Country:Country: Italy Italy Thought laws existed to keep order in Thought laws existed to keep order in

society NOT revenge for crimessociety NOT revenge for crimes Main Ideas:Main Ideas:

Against torture (cruel & unusual punishment)Against torture (cruel & unusual punishment) Fair & speedy trialsFair & speedy trials punishment should fit the crimepunishment should fit the crime Capital Punishment (execution) should be Capital Punishment (execution) should be

abolishedabolished Influenced: Influenced: criminal lawcriminal law reformers in Europe reformers in Europe

and North Americaand North America

Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797

Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1797

Country:Country: England England Main Ideas: Main Ideas:

Women needed education to become Women needed education to become virtuous & useful (just like men!) virtuous & useful (just like men!)

They should enter male-dominated They should enter male-dominated careers (like medicine and politics)careers (like medicine and politics)

Influences: Influences: Women’s rights groups Women’s rights groups in Europe and North Americain Europe and North America

Legacy of the EnlightenmentLegacy of the Enlightenment

Belief in PROGRESS (people & society can Belief in PROGRESS (people & society can improve)improve) Social equalitySocial equality *more democratic gov’ts*more democratic gov’ts End slaveryEnd slavery *much more*much more

Question religious beliefs & church teachingsQuestion religious beliefs & church teachings Promote tolerancePromote tolerance Reason & logic (not superstition)Reason & logic (not superstition)

Importance of the IndividualImportance of the Individual Every person has rightsEvery person has rights Role of gov’tRole of gov’t