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The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment. The Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was a critical questioning of traditional institutions, customs, and morals during the17th & 18 th Century. Many “ philosophes ” challenged the accepted leadership of Monarchies and Churches in Europe.

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The Enlightenment

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  1. The Enlightenment

  2. The Enlightenment • The Enlightenment was a critical questioning of traditional institutions, customs, and morals during the17th & 18th Century. • Many “philosophes” challenged the accepted leadership of Monarchies and Churches in Europe. • Ideas like, democracy, religious tolerance, the scientific method, capitalism are traced back to this period.

  3. The Enlightenment

  4. Thinkers of the Enlightenment

  5. John Locke (1632-1705) England • He preached the doctrine that men naturally possess certain Natural Rights, the chief being life, liberty, and property. • Rulers, he said, derived their power only from the consent of the people. • He thought that government should be like a contract between the rulers and his subjects: The people give up certain of their rights in return for just rule, and the ruler should hold his power only so long as he uses it justly. • He believed if rulers did not use their power justly the people should revolt.

  6. Montesquieu (1689-1755) France • He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, taken for granted in modern discussions of government and implemented in many constitutions throughout the world.

  7. Voltaire (1694-1778) France • Emphasized the principles on the Separation of Church and State. • Wrote on the importance of freedom of Speech

  8. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1788) France • Wrote about a “Social Contract” where people work together in the community by giving up some individual rights to help others who will ultimately help them. • Helped to inspire the French Revolution in 1789.

  9. Adam Smith (1723-1790) Scotland • “Father” of modern economics. • Described the “Free Market” for buying and selling goods. • Believed the free market would establish the correct variety of goods and prices. • Taught that when individuals pursue self interests they actually help others.

  10. Enlightenment Impact • The power of people to reason on their own. • Natural Laws could be discovered and help improve society. • “Natural Rights” and a “Social Contract” led to the challenge of “Divine Right” to rule. • Religious tolerance began to replace the hold that religious leaders had.

  11. Enlightenment Impact • As a result of the “philosophes” teachings 3 major revolutions were inspired. • American Revolution (1775-1783) • French Revolution (1789-1799) • Latin American Independence (1798-1825)

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