THE ENLIGHTENMENT The Age of Reason

“I think, therefore I am”

- Descartes

What is the Enlightenment?

An 18th Century European movement in which thinkers attempted to apply principles of reason and scientific method to all aspect of society.The Enlightenment was the beginning of many new ideas, including the principles of freedom, democracy, capitalism, scientific method, and religious tolerance

ReligionTwo main religions in England were Protestant and CatholicMany new religions formed within the two main religions fueled by new religious tolerancePeople began to question religious ideas as a result of a new logical way of thinking

Enlightenment Government

Before the Enlightenment, only Divine Right Monarchies told people they were selected by GodEnlightenment thinkers believed that humans could answer questions for themselvesCommon man became “Enlightened” and argued against the oppressive rule of a kingTensions began to end noble privileges, limit king’s power, start the Checks and Balances system, and call for freedoms of speech and of religion

King Louis XIVThe Enlightenment thinkers crushed the idea of “Absolute Monarchy”

Enlightenment Education

Realistic thinking was preferred over Romanticism The Scientific Method was used and guided by new ideas of natural lawsEducation became more important, especially for young upper-class Englishmen They would move to France to complete their education at the best universities

Education for ChildrenParents thought education for younger children was more important Parents were interested in more interactions with their young children and use of nannies declinedEducational toys and books for children became popular

“Childhood should be a stage for learning and growth”-History World International

Enlightenment Economics

Steady growth of colonial trade and manufacturingRapid spread of household production of textile and metal productsNew technical innovations such as faster loom to improve efficiency Economy began to move towards the Industrial Revolution

“All things have sprung from nothing and are borne forward to infinity”-Blaise Pascal, founder of modern probability theory and leading Enlightenment thinker