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
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