The The EnlightenmeEnlightenment nt

The Enlightenment The Enlightenment

First time there is a secular world First time there is a secular world view in history view in history – Notion that natural science and Notion that natural science and

reason could explain all aspects of lifereason could explain all aspects of life– Belief in autonomy of man’s intellect Belief in autonomy of man’s intellect

apart from Godapart from God– Faith in reason rather than faith in Faith in reason rather than faith in

revelation revelation

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

Deism- religious arm of the Deism- religious arm of the Enlightenment Enlightenment – Existence of God is a rational Existence of God is a rational

explanation of the existence of the explanation of the existence of the universeuniverse

– God was a creator- creates the universe God was a creator- creates the universe then steps back and watches it runthen steps back and watches it run

– Universe governed by natural law not a Universe governed by natural law not a personal God personal God

– Supernatural was not involved in human Supernatural was not involved in human life life

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

Belief that the scientific method Belief that the scientific method could explain the laws of society could explain the laws of society

Education seen as the key to Education seen as the key to helping society make progress helping society make progress

John Locke John Locke

Two Treatises of Civil Two Treatises of Civil GovernmentGovernment , 1690 , 1690– Humans are basically Humans are basically

good good – Governments should Governments should

provide rule of law provide rule of law through consent of the through consent of the governedgoverned

– Government protects Government protects rights of life, liberty, rights of life, liberty, property (natural property (natural rights)rights)

– Right to rebellion Right to rebellion

John LockeJohn Locke

Essay Concerning Human Essay Concerning Human UnderstandingUnderstanding, 1690, 1690– Stresses the importance of Stresses the importance of

environment on human developmentenvironment on human development– Education was the keyEducation was the key– Tabula Rosa- born as a blank slateTabula Rosa- born as a blank slate

No preconceived notions or learningNo preconceived notions or learning

– Undermines Christian view of Undermines Christian view of essentially sinful essentially sinful

Ideas of TolerationIdeas of Toleration

Bernard de Fontenelle (1657-1757)Bernard de Fontenelle (1657-1757)– Stressed idea of progressStressed idea of progress– Skeptical of absolute truth and Skeptical of absolute truth and

questions organized religionquestions organized religion Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)Pierre Bayle (1647-1706)

– Critical and Historical Dictionary, 1697Critical and Historical Dictionary, 1697 Advocated complete toleration of ideas Advocated complete toleration of ideas Freedom of religious ideas Freedom of religious ideas Nothing can be known beyond a doubt Nothing can be known beyond a doubt

The Philosophes The Philosophes

Committed to reform of society Committed to reform of society Usually not professional Usually not professional

philosophers (like Locke and philosophers (like Locke and Descartes)Descartes)

Believed in progress through Believed in progress through natural laws natural laws

Optimistic about how people could Optimistic about how people could live and govern themselves live and govern themselves

Voltaire (1694-1778)Voltaire (1694-1778) Strong deistStrong deist Social criticism Social criticism

inspires call for inspires call for revolution in Francerevolution in France

Advocates religious Advocates religious toleration toleration

Enlightened despotismEnlightened despotism– Agrees with Hobbes on Agrees with Hobbes on

state of naturestate of nature– But should have some But should have some

rights to religious views rights to religious views – Equality before the law Equality before the law

but not equality of the but not equality of the classes classes

Baron de Montesquieu Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) (1689-1755) Spirit of the LawsSpirit of the Laws

(1748)(1748)– Separation of Separation of

powers into three powers into three branches branches

Monarchy, nobility, Monarchy, nobility, rest of the classesrest of the classes

– Prevent tyrannyPrevent tyranny– Checks and Checks and

balancesbalances

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)(1712-1778) The Social The Social

ContractContract (1762) (1762)– Too much focus Too much focus

on property and on property and not people causes not people causes injusticeinjustice

– General will- General will- consensus of the consensus of the majority should majority should control the nationcontrol the nation

– Democracy? Democracy? Limits minority Limits minority view pointsview points

Rousseau Rousseau

Also a Romantic (glorification of Also a Romantic (glorification of emotion)emotion)

Man in a state of nature was a “noble Man in a state of nature was a “noble savage” corrupted by materialism savage” corrupted by materialism

EmileEmile (1762) (1762)– Progressive education- learning by doingProgressive education- learning by doing– Leaves his own 5 kids in an orphanage Leaves his own 5 kids in an orphanage

and does not educate themand does not educate them

Denis Diderot (1713-Denis Diderot (1713-1784)1784) The EncyclopediaThe Encyclopedia

(1765)(1765)– Essays from Essays from

Enlightenment thinkersEnlightenment thinkers– Stressed reason, Stressed reason,

science, tolerance, while science, tolerance, while critiquing the status quocritiquing the status quo

– Sought to teach people Sought to teach people to think critically and to think critically and objectivelyobjectively

– Banned in France and Banned in France and put on the Pope’s Index put on the Pope’s Index of Forbidden Books of Forbidden Books

Marquis de Beccaria Marquis de Beccaria

On Crimes and On Crimes and PunishmentPunishment (1764) (1764)– Punishment should be Punishment should be

based on the damage based on the damage done to society, not done to society, not connection to connection to religious sinreligious sin

– Opposed the death Opposed the death penalty except when penalty except when a danger to the statea danger to the state

– Opposed torture and Opposed torture and extracted confessions extracted confessions

Economic Theory Economic Theory

Laissez Faire- let it run by Laissez Faire- let it run by itself itself

Adam Smith (1727-1790)Adam Smith (1727-1790)– The Wealth of NationsThe Wealth of Nations (1776) (1776)– Bible of capitalism Bible of capitalism – Natural laws of supply and Natural laws of supply and

demanddemand– Competition encourages Competition encourages

efficient manufacture and efficient manufacture and lower cost/high quality goodslower cost/high quality goods

– Government regulation just Government regulation just interferes with this process interferes with this process

Women in the Women in the EnlightenmentEnlightenment Salon movementSalon movement

– Assemble in salons to discuss issues of the day Assemble in salons to discuss issues of the day – Madame de GeoffrenMadame de Geoffren– Madame de Stael Madame de Stael

Geoffren- patronizes Diderot’s Geoffren- patronizes Diderot’s EncyclopediaEncyclopedia

Philosophes favor increased rights and Philosophes favor increased rights and education for womeneducation for women

Mary Wollstonecraft- helps promote Mary Wollstonecraft- helps promote political and educational equality for political and educational equality for women women

The Later The Later Enlightenment (Late Enlightenment (Late 1818thth Century) Century) Becomes more Becomes more

skepticalskeptical Baron Paul d’Holbach Baron Paul d’Holbach

(1723-1789)(1723-1789)– System of NatureSystem of Nature– Humans are Humans are

machines determined machines determined by outside forces by outside forces (determinism)(determinism)

– Atheist Atheist

The Later The Later Enlightenment (Late Enlightenment (Late 1818thth Century) Century) David Hume (1711-David Hume (1711-

1776)1776)– Human ideas are a Human ideas are a

result of the sensesresult of the senses– Cannot reason Cannot reason

beyond what is beyond what is experienced experienced through the sensesthrough the senses

– Undermines Undermines Enlightenment Enlightenment emphasis on reason emphasis on reason

The Later The Later Enlightenment (Late Enlightenment (Late 1818thth Century) Century) Jean de Condorcet Jean de Condorcet

(1743-1794)(1743-1794)– Progress of the Progress of the

Human MindHuman Mind– Utopian ideas Utopian ideas – 9 stages of human 9 stages of human

development with development with the 10the 10thth being being perfection perfection

Classical LiberalismClassical Liberalism

Political outgrowth of the Enlightenment Political outgrowth of the Enlightenment Belief in liberty of the individual and equality Belief in liberty of the individual and equality

before the law (not democracy)before the law (not democracy) ““Natural Rights”Natural Rights” Impact of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu Impact of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu Belief in laissez faire capitalism of Smith Belief in laissez faire capitalism of Smith

– Opposite of mercantilism Opposite of mercantilism Belief in progress, human dignity, and human Belief in progress, human dignity, and human

progressprogress Religious toleration, freedom of speech and Religious toleration, freedom of speech and

the press, just punishments for crimes, equal the press, just punishments for crimes, equal treatment before the law treatment before the law

Religious Opposition Religious Opposition

German pietism- spiritual German pietism- spiritual conversation and religious conversation and religious experienceexperience

Methodism- taught need for Methodism- taught need for regeneration of moral life that would regeneration of moral life that would demonstrate being “born again”demonstrate being “born again”– John Wesley- founder of Methodism John Wesley- founder of Methodism

Jansenism- France, argued against Jansenism- France, argued against idea of an uninvolved or impersonal idea of an uninvolved or impersonal God God

Impact on SocietyImpact on Society

Secular world viewSecular world view Enlightened Despotism in Prussia, Enlightened Despotism in Prussia,

Austria, Russia, and FranceAustria, Russia, and France American and French RevolutionsAmerican and French Revolutions Educational reforms Educational reforms Growth of laissez faire capitalism Growth of laissez faire capitalism

in the 19in the 19thth century century

Enlightened Enlightened Despotism Despotism

Enlightened Despotism Enlightened Despotism

Philosophes inspired and supported Philosophes inspired and supported government reformsgovernment reforms

Believed absolute rulers should Believed absolute rulers should promote the good of the peoplepromote the good of the people

Believed, like Hobbes, that people Believed, like Hobbes, that people could not rule themselves could not rule themselves

Reforms: Reforms: – Religious tolerationReligious toleration– Streamlined legal codesStreamlined legal codes– Increased access to educationIncreased access to education– Reduction or elimination of torture and the Reduction or elimination of torture and the

death penalty death penalty

Frederick the Great Frederick the Great (Frederick II)(Frederick II) R. 1740-1786R. 1740-1786 PrussiaPrussia Son of Frederick Son of Frederick

William IWilliam I Strong military Strong military

educationeducation Strong supporter of Strong supporter of

French EnlightenmentFrench Enlightenment– Patronized Voltiare, Patronized Voltiare,

lives in his court lives in his court – Musician and poet Musician and poet

Wars of Frederick the Wars of Frederick the GreatGreat War of Austrian Succession (1740-War of Austrian Succession (1740-

1748)1748)– Cause: Frederick invades and seizes Cause: Frederick invades and seizes

Silesia, part of the Austrian empireSilesia, part of the Austrian empire– Doubts about Maria Teresa’s legitimacy Doubts about Maria Teresa’s legitimacy – Violates the Pragmatic SanctionViolates the Pragmatic Sanction– Prussia defeats AustriaPrussia defeats Austria– Prussia gains Silesia Prussia gains Silesia – Becomes recognized as a Great Power Becomes recognized as a Great Power

Wars of Frederick the Wars of Frederick the GreatGreat Seven Years’ WarSeven Years’ War

– Cause: Maria Teresa wants to regain Cause: Maria Teresa wants to regain Silesia; gains Russia and France as Silesia; gains Russia and France as alliesallies

– ““Diplomatic Revolution”- France and Diplomatic Revolution”- France and Austria (traditional enemies) ally Austria (traditional enemies) ally against Prussiaagainst Prussia

– Britain supports Prussia Britain supports Prussia – Bloodiest war of Europe since Thirty Bloodiest war of Europe since Thirty

Years’ WarYears’ War

Treaty of Paris (1763)Treaty of Paris (1763)

Most important peace treaty of Most important peace treaty of the 18th century the 18th century

Prussia permanently regains Prussia permanently regains SilesiaSilesia

France lost all its colonies in France lost all its colonies in North America to Great Britain North America to Great Britain

Britain gains territory in India Britain gains territory in India

Enlightened ReformsEnlightened Reforms

Allowed religious freedom (less for Jewish faith)Allowed religious freedom (less for Jewish faith) Promoted schools and education- modest gainsPromoted schools and education- modest gains Streamlined laws- unified national law code Streamlined laws- unified national law code Freed serfs on Crown lands in 1763 (remains on Freed serfs on Crown lands in 1763 (remains on

individual estates)individual estates) Improved bureaucracy by requiring civil service Improved bureaucracy by requiring civil service

teststests Abolished capital punishmentAbolished capital punishment Encouraged immigration Encouraged immigration Encouraged industrial and economic growth Encouraged industrial and economic growth

Catherine the Great Catherine the Great

R. 1762-1796R. 1762-1796 German princess who German princess who

becomes queen after becomes queen after the assassination of the assassination of her husbandher husband– She took part in the She took part in the

plot plot – Peter the Great had Peter the Great had

abolished the abolished the succession of succession of hereditary czars hereditary czars

Loved French culture Loved French culture Invites Diderot to live Invites Diderot to live

in her court in her court

Pugachev Rebellion Pugachev Rebellion (1773)(1773) Eugene Pugachev (Cossack Eugene Pugachev (Cossack

soldier) leads serf uprising- wants soldier) leads serf uprising- wants an end of serfdoman end of serfdom

Catherine needs the nobility and Catherine needs the nobility and grants them absolute control of grants them absolute control of the serfs the serfs

Serfdom spreadsSerfdom spreads Confiscates church lands for Confiscates church lands for

nobles nobles

Enlightened Reforms Enlightened Reforms

Imported western cultureImported western culture Education- private printing presses, Education- private printing presses,

schools for noble girlsschools for noble girls Restricted practice of tortureRestricted practice of torture Allowed limited religious toleration Allowed limited religious toleration

– Jewish civil equality, stopped persecution Jewish civil equality, stopped persecution of Old Believersof Old Believers

Strengthened local government by Strengthened local government by elective councils of nobles elective councils of nobles

Shortfalls and Shortfalls and Expansion Expansion Shortfalls Shortfalls

– Only the state and nobility benefited Only the state and nobility benefited – Serfdom becomes more severe Serfdom becomes more severe

Territorial expansion Territorial expansion – Annexation of Poland and 3 way Annexation of Poland and 3 way

partition with Austria and Prussia partition with Austria and Prussia – Gained CrimeaGained Crimea– Caucasus region Caucasus region

Joseph IIJoseph II

R. 1780-1790, R. 1780-1790, Austria Austria

Perhaps greatest Perhaps greatest of Enlightened of Enlightened DespotsDespots

Firm believer in Firm believer in absolutism absolutism

Major Reforms Major Reforms

Abolished serfdom and feudal dues in Abolished serfdom and feudal dues in 17811781

Freedom of religion and civic rights to Freedom of religion and civic rights to Protestants and JewProtestants and Jew

Freedom of the pressFreedom of the press Reformed judicial system- equality of Reformed judicial system- equality of

the lawthe law Abolish torture and death penalty Abolish torture and death penalty Established hospitals and poor housesEstablished hospitals and poor houses

Non- Non- Enlightened Enlightened DespotsDespots

Maria Teresa Maria Teresa

R. 1740-1780, R. 1740-1780, Austria (Before Austria (Before Joseph II)Joseph II)

Gains Habsburg Gains Habsburg empire from father, empire from father, Charles VIICharles VII

Result of Pragmatic Result of Pragmatic SanctionSanction

Conservative and Conservative and cautious cautious

Reforms Reforms

Centralized control of the Habsburg Centralized control of the Habsburg EmpireEmpire– Limited power of the nobility Limited power of the nobility – Helped the condition of serfs Helped the condition of serfs – Increased armyIncreased army– Reduced use of tortureReduced use of torture– Improved tax system Improved tax system

Brought Catholic Church under state Brought Catholic Church under state controlcontrol

Promoted economic developmentPromoted economic development