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The Enlightenment: Ideals, Contributors, and Consequences By Carolen Sadler Laguna Beach High School World History Definition a European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition. Origins Outgrowth of the Scientific Revolution of 1500 & 1600s Remember the Scientific Revolution? Here’s a quick review. The Scientific Revolution Scientist discovered many scientific laws for the first time. Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity. Nicolas Copernicus proposed the model of a suncentered universe. Origins Continued Increased contact between Europeans and the wider world. Growing prosperity and rise of middle classes. Trade Philosophical Belief Enlightened thinkers believed in the power of human reason and the perfectibility of mankind. Trust nature and man Distrust institutions and traditions Question? What were some of the key ideas of the Enlightenment and who were some of the period’s important thinkers? Let me enlighten you. Enlightenments Ideals Reason Success in science created great confidence in the power of reason. Thinkers believed that reason could solve every social, political, and economic problem. Voltaire French 1694-1778 Want more? He believed in the ultimate rationality of the universe, but saw many evils and flaws in human society. Denounced the torture of criminals. Cesare Beccaria Italian 1738-1794 Wrote On Crimes and Punishment Punishment should fit the crime - Brutal punishment is cruel and unusual. Hugely influenced modern justice systems including U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Ideals Con’t Separation of Power Protection from tyranny by dividing the functions and powers of government among three separate branches: legislature, executive, and judiciary. Baron de Montesquieu French 1689-1755 Want more? The Baron felt that each branch of government could serve as a check on the other two. Does this sound familiar? Ideals Con’t Natural Rights All humans are born with certain rights. These include the right to life, liberty, and property. John Locke English 1632-1704 Want more? Locke argued that people formed governments to protect their natural rights. People have the right to overthrow gov’t if gov’t fails its obligation. Warmup What would be the best way to separate powers in a classroom constitution to prevent tyranny and promote learning? Ideals Con’t Social Contract An agreement by which people gave up the “state of nature” (no laws, no controls) for an organized society. Thomas Hobbes English 1588-1679 Want more? To escape a “brutish” life, people agree to enter into a social contract to ensure an orderly society. Jean-Jacques Rousseau French 1712-1778 Want more? People are basically good. Government is an expression of the general will. In an ideal society, people would make laws and obey them willingly. Who said this? God makes all things good; man meddles with them and they become evil. Answer: Jean Jacques Rousseau Ideals Con’t Laissez-faire An economic policy that allowed business to operate with little or no government interference. Adam Smith English 1723-1790 Want more? Smith tried to show trade, wages, profit, and economic growth was linked to supply and demand. He was interested in a free market without gov’t regulations. Question? Which two men believed in a social contract between government and society? Answer: Hobbs and Rousseau Click here to review Ideals Con’t Progress By the early 1700s, European thinkers felt that nothing was beyond the reach of the human mind and improvements could be made to human society. Question? Which of the thinkers we have discussed believed in the Enlightenment ideal of progress? Answer: They all did! Click here to review Consequences Enlightenment thinkers wanted to effect a change in people’s worldviews and political institutions. Age of Democratic Revolutions American Revolution - 1776 Enlightenment ideals gave justification for the right to revolt. French Revolution - 1786 Enlightenment ideals led people to question the ancien regime. Latin American Revolutions 1791 Enlightenment ideals influenced leaders to work for independence and equality among classes. Question? Are Enlightenment ideals still influential in today’s society? Bibliography World History: Connections to Today. 1999. Prentice Hall www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook .html (Source for primary documents) www.utm.edu/research/iep/h/hobbes.htm