Enlightenment

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Lesson Objectives

• Explain the ideas of Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rosseau

• Describe the five concepts of Enlightenmen

• Describe how Enlightenment ideas spread throughout Europe

• Explain the legacy of the Enlightenment

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Enlightenment

• Also known as "The Age of Reason" it is an intellectual movement that reached its height in the mid-1700s.

• Its promoters, the Philosophes from Paris, believed that reason could be applied to all aspects of life which shows the power of individuals to solve problems.

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Views on Government

• Thomas Hobbes - believes that people are selfish so a strong government is needed

• John Locke - all people are born free, and equal and the government should protect these natural rights

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Five Concepts of the Enlightenment

• Reason - truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking (rationalism)

• Nature - humans are naturally good and reasonable as their rights cannot be taken away by any government

• Happiness - promotion of well-being on earth

• Progress - society and humankind could improve

• Liberty - people should have the protection of the law

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Voltaire

• Used satire against his opponents: clergy, the aristocracy, and the government

• He fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech.

• He believed that humanity's worst enemies are intolerance, prejudice, and superstition.

• "I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire

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Jean Jacques Rosseau

• Argued that good government is important in keeping the general will of the society

• In his version of the Social Contract people give up some of their rights for the common good and if the government fails to preserve the general will, the people would have the right to overthrow their own government

• "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. - Rosseau

​Q. 

Why do you think Enlightenment ideas spread so readily?

answer choices

1. improved communication

2. widespread appeal

3. supported by the Church

4. promoted by the monarchs

​Q. 

Which statement would Thomas Hobbes agree?

answer choices

• An absolute monarch can best guarantee law and order.

• An absolute monarch rules with the consent of his people.

• Individuals have the most freedom under an absolute monarch.

​Q. 

Which of the following is an ideal promoted by 18th-century French intellectuals?

answer choices

• The government of a nation should be led by a tyrant.

• The actions of an individual should be based on reason.

• The beliefs of a person should be based on superstition.

• The conclusions of a person should be based on assumption.

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Why did Catholic Church officials dislike Diderot's "Encylopedia"?

answer choices

• They believed that the articles unfairly criticized the Church and its influence.

• The encyclopedia promoted promoted Protestant ideals and the Church feared losing support.

• They wanted more articles written about the Catholic Church instead of government.

• The encyclopedia rivaled their collection of church history being made available to the public.