T he Enlightenment

1. XVII The Enlightenment

2. Science Skepticism Travel The roads to the Enlightenment

3. Pierre Bayle (skeptic) concludes 
that nothing can be known 
beyond all doubt; stresses open-
mindedness, religious toleration. Travel Literature gave accounts of many different cultures new philosophies learned by different 
cultures and people cultural relativism: other cultures have 
other religions and views of God Bernard de Fontanelle Communicates scientific knowledge well stresses idea of progress also cynical of organized religion and absolute religious truth

4. The Philosophes They weren't actually philosophers, but literate 
intellectuals emphasized rationalism, reason, free expression

5. Montesquieu: advocates theory of separation of 
powers (branches of government) opposes slavery endorses religious toleration loves reason Voltaire: playwright lived with his mistress Madame du 
Chalet, longtime companion, scientist 
discriminated against because of her 
gender claims God is distant and lets human 
affairs take their own course (Deism) skeptical of social and economic equality

6. Denis Diderot helps edit the Encyclopedia or Classified Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Trades attempts to teach people how to think 
critically and rationally Goal of Philosophes: Make French society 
more open, more free, more tolerant, more 
educated--and this will lead to social, 
economic, and political improvements

7. laissez-faire: "Hands off"... 
keep the state out of economic 
affairs "Science of Man" (Social Sciences) Claim of the philosophes... Natural laws govern human actions David Hume: study a 
particular human's life 
and you'll observe his 
experiences and nature Mercantilism stifles economic 
growth! Free markets are good, 
competition is good! Pursuit of your 
own self interest will lead to 
harmony and progress for workers 
as well as employers. Physiocrats Economic Liberalism Adam Smith

8. laissez-faire: "Hands off"... 
keep the state out of economic 
affairs More "Science of Man" (Social Sciences) Baron D'Holbach: humans are controlled by outside forces they're machines within a universe in motion God is imaginary Marie-Jean Condorcet writes during time of French Revolution Claims that humans have had 9 stages of 
history, and are entering the 10th--a time of 
perfection

9. More "Science of Man" (Social Sciences) Jean-Jaques Rousseau: attacks rationalism and civilization. -claims children must develop naturally and 
spontaneously, without restriction of their instincts -In The Social Contract argues that the general will of the people is sacred and absolute.

10. The "Woman's Question" some Enlightenment men are critical 
of women writing on intellectual 
issues Voltaire and Diderot assert that 
women are very similar feminism's roots begin, and people 
like Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary 
Astell endorse women's abilities to be 
on par with men at home and in society Salons drawing rooms of wealthy elites of the Enlightenment run by women promoted conversations on topics often not welcome in 
the royal court

11. Rococo Art Neoclassicism sought to recapture the 
styles of Greek & Roman 
art stresses geometrical 
patterns, soft curves, 
natural objects

12. MUSIC Bach and Handel perfect 
Baroque musical style Wolfgang Amadeus 
Mozart: concerto, 
symphony, and opera 
reached their peak under 
him

13. Literature New writing of novels writing of history Philosophes responsible 
for revolutionizing the 
way we write history Voltaire initiated this Magazines are 
published for the 
general public

14. HIGH CULTURE Literary and artistic world of the educated and wealthy ruling classes written and unwritten lore of the masses, oral 
traditions Popular Culture

15. Education and Universities colleges stuck with 
classical learning, and 
were slow to change philosophe refomers 
call for more practical 
education criticism leads to the 
introduction of physics, 
astronomy, and 
mathematics into the 
universities

16. School & Literacy Formal Education  -popular for the upper classes  -did not begin for common people until  the 17th/18th Centuries  -Protestant Russia led the way in universal 
 education  -education important in Presbryterian  Scotland and elsewhere Literacy  -increased, especially in France and Scotland  between 1700-1800  -fairy tales, romance, fictionalized history  -literature dealt with practical arts--it did not  challenge the social or political system

17. Executions public nobles simply beheaded torture for ordinary citizens By the end of the 
century, society is 
calling for prisoner 
reformation within 
prisons

18. Modern Medicine more advanced than 
before licensure for doctors, 
surgeons but still plenty of 
baloney... leech 
bleedings, faith 
healing hospitals were still 
terrible

19. Carnival!

20. Celebrated a release of pent 
up feelings celebrated in weeks prior to 
Lent (period before Easter) frequent sexual activity indulgence verbal aggression toward 
others permitted... even to 
your superiors! some physical violence also 
permitted

21. Alcohol Consumption Taverns function as meeting 
places for neighborhood men Poor people drank far too 
much Gin popular in England 
(you'll get a DBQ on it!) The rich drank port and 
brandy

22. The Institutional Church Church remains highly structured Jesuits continue their power and 
influence until monarchies 
disposed of them philosophes endorsed religious toleration Joseph II of Austria: Toleration Patent of 1781 
allows non-Catholics full rights Jews: despised religious minority of Europe They were also unfairly taxed Pogroms: looting of Jewish communities & 
massacring of Jewish people

23. John Wesley: troubled by 
religious corruption, decline, 
uncertainty  -his Methodist movement  rejects Calvinist idea of  predestination and stressed  salvation through faith Wesley's ministry brought on a religious awakening, 
particularly among the lower 
classes