The Age of Enlightenment

1. The Age of Enlightenment 1700-1789

2. The Age of Enlightenment • A period of intellectual exchange in Europe during the 18th century • “Progress” • Created a desire for political and social change in the average person and people begin to question their governments.

3. Magna Carta • Document signed in 1215 which limited the power of the king and established a belief in England that the King’s power must be limited. Taxes must be approved by the people, Accused person had right to due process of law, punishment must fit crime, separation of church and state, no seizure of property without fair compensation • Colonist expect representation in their government just like they had at home in England and expected their rights to be respected.

4. Mayflower Compact • Pilgrims sign an agreement to create a direct democracy before they land in Cape Cod and establish Plymouth Colony. • Direct Democracy – all citizens directly vote for all issues – only works with a small group

5. The Philosophes • Intellectuals who discussed ideas • Used reason to explain their world • Believed that Reason could improve society • Believed in tolerance for all religions

6. The Philosophes

7. John Locke (1632-1704) • Treatises on Government – first published in 1690 spelled out his political ideas. • Locke reasoned that all people were born free, equal, and independent. • Locke believed that people possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property. • People contracted among themselves to form a government to protect their natural rights.

8. Locke lived an age of absolute monarchs who claimed they had God given absolute power. Locke insisted in Two Treaties of Government that government was legitimate only as long as people continued to consent to it. John Locke (1632-1704) Natural Rights of Man

9. Locke inspires American Revolution • The Declaration of Independence reflects Locke’s ideas. Natural born rights equality of man. • Locke was the inspiration for the Revolution. • Constitution reflect belief in consent of the people

10. Social Contract Theory – to create a society people must make an agreement between a ruler and the ruled. • Thomas Hobbes – 1650’s during age of absolute monarchs believed as long as ruler maintained order people did not have the right to break the contract. John Locke – 1690’s after English Parliament challenged James II, a king who believed in divine right. Locke believed That people have certain natural born rights and if a leader Does not respect these rights the people have the right to rebel. Declaration of Independence

11. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) Separation of Powers • French political philosopher • The Spirit of the Laws – proposed in this book to divide political authority into three branches; executive, legislative and judicial. • His book has many supporters in England and in the Americas. • This book will later inspire the writers of the Constitution to include “Separation of Powers” in their document.

12. Baron de Montesquieu(1689-1755) Separation of Powers

13. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) • Wrote in favor of human freedom. He wanted a society in which all people are equal.

14. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) Inspired idea Of direct Democracy With public Election of Congress

15. Voltaire • Freedom of Speech and Religious tolerance Likes those expressed in the 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights

16. Beccaria • Accused have rights, no torture • Bill of Rights – 6th amendment protects rights of the accused and 8th amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. • Fair system of justice

17. Adam Smith (1723-1790) • First modern economist, offered a detailed description of life and trade in English Society • The Wealth of Nations (1776) describes capitalism for the first time. He explains the market system where even the common man can invest money to gain wealth. • Laissez-Faire is a French term that means “let it alone” – the idea that governments should let business run with limited involvement. Free market economy

18. Adam Smith (1723-1790) Free Market System Government Let business Just run itself Don’t interfere Laissez-faire

19. The Wealth of Nations

20. Articles of Confederation • First written constitution of new United States represents the fears of the colonists that no one person should be too powerful. Characteristics - Weaknesses • One Unicameral legislature with no power to directly tax , could only raise money by asking states for money. • No power to regulate trade between states and other countries – make it difficult to make trade arrangements. • Needed 9 of 13 states to approve any law • All states must approve an amendment to the articles • No central leader • No separation of powers • Strengths or achievements • One success was the Ordinance of 1785 and 1787 which set up rules for the addition of new states with equal status to existing states. • Negotiated 1787 Peace Treaty with Great Britain which gained independence for America • Congress set up the first cabinet – Secretary of Treasury, War, Marine and Foreign Affairs.

21. House of Burgesses • Served as the first representative body in colonial America. The house first met in Jamestown in 1619. It served as the beginning of representative democracy in the colonies. • Representative Democracy – citizens elect leaders to create laws for all.

22. French and Indian War • Colonists and British fought side by side in a war which ended in 1763 with Treaty of Paris and England gained land east of the Mississippi River and kicked the French out of any North American claims. • Colonist were taxed by England to pay for the war debt and this created the tensions that led to the Revolutionary War.

23. The American Revolution • Was the American Revolution just a revolt against British taxation? • How was it based on Enlightenment principles? • In what ways is the Declaration of Independence based on John Locke’s Treatises on Government?

24. Conclusion • The Enlightenment was a period of intellectual exchange in Europe during the 18th century • Several factors contributed to the Enlightenment • Philosophes expressed desire for social and political change