The Enlightenment
Mr. Meester
AP European History
Science & Enlightenment
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Influenced by science, writers and thinkers
of the Enlightenment attempted to test
everything by observation and by
determining cause-and-effect relationships.
The Enlightenment also focused on
rationalism - the belief that truth can be
arrived at solely by reason.
Because of this characteristic, the period is
often called the Age of Reason
The Philosophes
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These men were the intellectual leaders of
the Enlightenment.
Many were from France, but the movement
to most European countries.
They were reformers who tried to get their
ideas put into law.
They were elitists who often addressed their
ideas to rulers and powerful institutions.
They didn’t always agree.
Enlightenment In France
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Many Philosophes were heavily influenced by the
writings of John Locke.
Baron de Montesquieu published his “Spirit of
the Laws, in 1748.
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Supported the idea of having three separate branches
of government.
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Jean Jacques Rousseau published “The Social
Contract” in 1762.
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A free and good state to which men are born can be
preserved only if men live under a government of
their own choice an control.
“Government by Consent”
Voltaire
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Voltaire was a famous and influential
French writer.
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Considered Isaac Newton as the greatest man
of all time.
Savagely attacked all things he considered
sham and superstition.
Advocated religious toleration and freedom of
speech. A Treatise on Toleration (1763)
“I do not agree with a word you say, but I will
defend to the death your right to say it.”
Diderot
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Denis Diderot published
his Encyclopedia in
1772.
Consisted of 28 volumes
Attempted to encompass
all human knowledge
including new ideas in
science and government.
Kant
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Immanuel Kant was a
German professor who
created a universal
code of ethics
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The Universal
Imperative is based on
logic and reason.
Your actions in order to
be right must be right
in all situations.
Beccaria
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An Italian aristocrat he
wrote On Crimes and
Punishments.
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He wanted rational laws in
which the intent of
punishments were to deter
further crime.
Not for revenge. Spoke out
against torture & capital
punishment
Deism
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The Philosophes were often critical of
organized religion, but most weren’t
opposed to religion.
Many believed in Deism which was based
on Newton’s view on a rational God.
God exists and created the world and
nature can be rationally explained.
They also believed in life after death with
rewards and punishments based on the
virtue of one’s life.
Conflicts with Religion
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Philisophes preached tolerance of religions
but often spoke against religious practices
and dogma.
Both Christian and Jewish faiths were
targeted by the Philosophes.
Islam was both attacked and defended.
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Tolerant of other religions, but politically
subjected its people to depotism.
Physiocrats
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Enlightenment thinkers who studied economics.
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Believed that the primary role of government was to
protect property and to permit the owners to use it
freely.
Economic production depended on sound
agricultural practices.
Combining small farms into larger, more efficient
farms.
Many denounced the policies of mercantilism.
Adam Smith
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Published his “Wealth of Nations”: in 1776.
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Smith reasoned that all business and economic
activity is regulated by two natural laws:
the law of “supply and demand.”
the law of “competition.”
Smith felt every man should be free to do what
he thought best for himself.
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Opposed mercantilism and supported “Laissez Faire”
economics
Limited government interference in the economy.
Malthus & Ricardo
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Thomas Malthus published “An Essay on
the Principles of Population” in 1798.
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Population grows geometrically while food
production grows arithmetically.
David Ricardo published the Principles of
Political Economy and Taxation in 1817.
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“Iron law of wages”
wages are based upon population and if
population further increases wages will
continue to decrease