Evolution of Western Thought: Medieval to Enlightenment

1. Ms Garratt Medieval, Renaissance, Reformation & Enlightenment Contributions to Western Thought Prologue: Sections 3-4

2. *The Medieval Church • After fall of the Roman Empire the Church splits into two. • West led by Pope • East led by emperor who was also Patriarch • Church became largest international organization ever • Assumed control over secular matters

3. Early Middle Ages • Charlemagne • Bright spot during dark ages. • Brought Europe out of dark ages • Spread Christianity • Revived learning and literacy • After his death Europe was invaded & entered into a period of violence & instability

4. Feudalism • Political system • Power divided among kings & nobles for protection. • Constant battles to increase power led to instability • Economic system • Agricultural – no industry & very • little trade • Social Organization • Very rigid hierarchy King Clergy Nobles/Lords Knights Squires Serfs

5. High Middle Ages 1050-1450 • During this period feudal kings will increase their power. • They will no longer rely on support of the feudal lords as much • William the Conqueror is perfect example. • Conquers England in 1066 • Unifies England • Strengthens Monarchy & • Develops system of tax collection & law

6. Renaissance 1300 -1600 Thinkers were interested in earthly life rather than preparation for the afterlife. Emphasized public service rather than just service to the church. Individualism was deeply rooted in the Renaissance. This led to secular humanism which emphasized human potential which led to exploration, capitalism, - & the scientific revolution.

7. Reformers challenged corruption within the Church such as indulgences. • Stressed direct relationship with God rather than one through the clergy • Believed that salvation came from faith alone. • Translated the Bible into the vernacular so believers could interpret the word of God by themselves without the clergy. • Emphasis on individualism led to questioning of authority which contributed to political liberty and democracy Reformation Martin Luther 95 Thesis

8. Economic Change & Expansion By 1000s economy revives due to agricultural advances & commerce. Use of iron leads to better tool technology Growth of towns and emergence of guilds – trade associations which will eventually dominate Europe.

9. Democracy Develops in England Prologue: Section 3

10. Jury Trials • Henry II develops jury system • Feudal vs. royal courts • Jury trials different from ours • Legal decisions became precedents • A precedent is a judicial decision that may be used as a standard in subsequent cases

11. Common Law • Gradually England became unified under a single legal system that was called common law • Common law reflected customs and principles that were common throughout England • Common law became the basis of the legal systems in many English speaking countries, including the US

12. Common Law • Def: a uniform system of law developed in England based on court decisions and on customs and usage rather than on written law codes; • replaces law codes that varied from place to place

13. Magna Carta • Considered a cornerstone of democratic government. • Nobles demanded : • Habeas Corpus • Jury trial by peers • Due process of law • Right to be consulted on matters of taxation

14. Significance of Magna Carta • End of absolute monarchy & divine rights theory • Established rights of citizens & rule of law. • Establishes respect for individual rights & liberties • Resulted in rise of Parliament

15. Development of Parliament • Model Parliament • House of Lords • House of Commons • Power of the Purse Strings • Absolutism? • Diving Rights?

16. Events leading up to the English Civil War • Although Tudors cooperated with Parliament the Stuart dynasty did not • Clashed with Puritans & Parliament • Believed in absolute monarchy • Violated Magna Carta • Signed Petition of Right but refused to honor it • Dissolved Parliament sparks Civil War 1642 • King is tried and executed

17. Petition of Rights 1628 • Landmark in constitutional history • Opposed absolute monarchy • Demanded an end to: • Taxation w/o Parliament’s consent • Imprisoning citizens illegally • Housing troops in citizens’ homes • Maintaining military gov during peactime

18. Oliver Cromwell & the English Commonwealth & Protectorate • Abolished the monarchy, House of Lords & Church of England • Banished the Catholics to barren lands in western Ireland • Republic in name only • Became military rule • When Cromwell dies Puritans lose power

19. Restoration 1660 Monarchy is restored. Charles II becomes king His son, James II, succeeded him • He was Roman Catholic • Believed in divine rights

20. Restoration & the Glorious Revolution • In 1688 Parliament invited William and Mary to become the new rulers (monarchs) of England. • They had to agree first to the English Bill of Rights

21. English Bill of Rights restated traditional rights • Trial by jury • Habeas corpus • Abolished excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishments • Created constitutional monarchy in which the legislative body limits the monarch’ power. • Subjected monarchs to the rule of law • Rejects theory of divine rights

22. English Bill of Rights • Superiority of Parliament over the monarchy • House of Commons rec’d Power of the Purse. • Monarchs could no longer interfere in Parliament debates or suspend laws • Barred Catholics from sitting on the throne

23. Constitutional Monarchy • During the 1700s the cabinet developed • Cabinet is group of gov officials who advise the monarch but in reality represent the majority party. • Under the cabinet system the leader of the majority party heads the cabinet & is called the prime minister.

24. Activity Break

25. Enlightenment – Age of Reason • Thinkers tried to apply principles of reason & the methods of science to all aspects of society • Scientific Rev was immediate source of Enlightenment thought • Thinkers wanted to apply the Sci method which relied on observation & testing of theories to human affairs • Hoped to discover natural laws that governed society just as natural laws governed the universe

26. Hobbes • Human nature/ state of nature = state of war • Social contract based on need for security & order. • Without strong central gov (Leviathan) people would not be able to acquire property and live longer

27. John Locke Opposite view of Hobbes Human nature-essentially good Purpose of gov is protect natural rights such as life, liberty & property. If gov abuses its duties then people have right to overthrow gov Lockean views are evident in US Constitution

28. Baron de Montesquieu • Separation of powers • Checks & balances

29. Jean-Jacques Rousseau “Man is born free yet everywhere he is in chains” Believed that man in a state of nature was noble. It was civilization that corrupts man Advocated “direct democracy” Support for the General Will

30. Voltaire • Freedom of speech • Freedom of religion • “I may disagree with you but I will

32. Beginnings of Democracy in America • French and Indian War 1754-1763 • Colonists helped Brits defeat the French • Brits wanted colonists to share the costs of the war since they benefitted • Stamp Act led to anger and boycott before it was eventually repealed • Brits continued to anger the colonists by issuing the Proclamation of 1763

33. Americans Win Independence • Colonists eventually began to arm themselves to protect econ & pol rights • Fight for independence began with battles of Lexington & Concord 4-19-75 • Issued DOI & explained why they should be free. • Ideas presented were the Enlightenment ideas of John Locke

34. Articles of Confederation • First plan of American gov was AOC • Gov was deliberately kept weak out of fear that another tyranny would evolve • Only one branch of gov – Congress • But it was also too weak. • It didn’t even have the power to collect taxes to pay the war debt or finance the gov

35. US Constitution • Delegates met in Philadelphia to work out a new constitution. • The question they faced was “Is it possible to create a gov that is strong and stable but not tyrannical?”

36. How did they do it? • (1) Created a representative gov (republic) in which citizens elect leaders to make laws for them. • This ensured that power “rested with the people” • (2) Created a “federal system” • (3) Established separation of powers which acted as checks and balances

37. The United Nations • New international organization established in 1945 after World War II • Goal was to work for the betterment of humanity • One part of UN is General Assembly which works as a democracy • Each nation has equal rep • The UN charter is based on demo & Enlightenment principles

38. UN Declaration of Human Rights • This is one of the most important contributions of the UN • Sets worldwide standard for basic social, political and economic rights such as right to life, liberty and security. • Also stated are equal protection under the law, free movement & free association with other people, etc • Intended as international code of conduct

39. New Movement Toward Democracy • Breakup of the USSR led to 15 new republics seeking democracy • In South Africa, after many years of apartheid, a democratic, all race gov was established. • In 2002 East Timor regained its independence following a UN-sponsored referendum. • Arab Spring 2011-2012

40. Enlightenment Greeks Romans Medieval Reforms Western Political Thought Judeo-Christian Reformation Renaissance

41. Enlightenment Documents • Dec of Independence • Dec of the Rights of Man and Citizen • UN Declaration of Human Rights • Vietnam Constitution • Seneca Falls Declaration

42. Review: Greeks • Direct democracy • 3 branches of gov • Expanded participation=greater numbers • Philosophy which strengthened belief in reason, logic & natural laws & rights • Socratic Method encouraged people to use reason to seek answers and strengthened individualism • Duties of Citizenship • Legislature

43. Review: Romans • Republic • Separation of powers • Veto • Written legal code • Law & Rights of individual • Rights of the accused • Equality under the law • Fair laws • Innocent until proven guilty

44. Review: Judaism • Ethical monotheism • Individual worth • Responsibilities & duty to the community • Social Conscience

45. Christianity • Equality and dignity of all • Service to others • Moral and ethical behavior (ethical monotheism) • Justice

46. England • Common law • Magna Carta • Petition of Right • Bill of Rights • Limited government • Bicameral Legislature