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Exploring Enlightenment in the United States: Influence and Impact

Delve into the concept of Enlightenment and its impact on the U.S., tracing influences from the Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, and Reformation. Learn about renowned Enlightenment figures like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Voltaire, and their ideas on individual rights, governance, and freedom of speech. Understand the core principles of the Age of Enlightenment, including rationalism, secularism, and the belief in human reason. Discover how Enlightenment philosophy shaped modern economics through Adam Smith's theories on free markets and laissez-faire policies.

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Exploring Enlightenment in the United States: Influence and Impact

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  1. What does it mean to be ‘Enlightened’? Is the U.S. an enlightened nation? How have we been influenced by ‘Enlightenment’ thinking, and are we still being influenced by these ideas?

  2. The Enlightenment – a philosophical movement of the 18th century, characterized by belief in the power of human reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational doctrine.

  3. What Led to ‘The Enlightenment’ The Renaissance The Scientific Revolution The Reformation Humanism Reason & Knowledge Secularism Enlightenment

  4. The Enlightenment The Age of Reason

  5. The Age of Enlightenment • 1700’s • Rationalism-belief that human nature could be logically explained using reason & the Scientific Method • Ideas about secularism and individualism • Enlightenment thinkers were called Philosophes

  6. Thomas Hobbes • The natural condition of humans is one of continuous conflict and competition • Said life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”. • Believed in a social contract, where people give up individual liberties in return for social order • Believed anarchy to be a state of nature. • Supporter of absolute monarchy • Wrote Leviathan (1651)

  7. John Locke • Believed in individual natural rights – Life – Liberty – Property • People would not-and could not willingly surrender their fundamental natural rights. • Government existed to protect those rights, & if they didn’t, it should be overthrown. • Supporter of Democracy • Wrote Two Treatises on Government

  8. Baron de Montesquieu • His idea of checks and balances would influence the U.S. Constitution • Saw humans life as a comedy and satire. • Division of power into 3 branches • Climate and Circumstances determine the form of governments • Published The Spirit of theLaws (1748)

  9. Voltaire • Strong supporter of Freedom of Speech, Thought, & Religion • Humans are liars, traitors, ingrates, thieves, misers, killers, fanatics, hypocrites, fools and so on. Yet, it’s normal. • Believed Gov’ts should ensure personal freedoms • Satirist who wrote about the French Monarchy, the nobility, and the church • Candide & Philosophical Letters • Imprisoned twice in France for his views

  10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau • Believed in Popular Sovereignty • Argued people are naturally good, but society corrupts them through environment, education and laws. • Opposed strong government. • Government created and controlled by the people. • Did not trust reason believing that it brought corruption and misery. • Published The Social Contract(1762)

  11. Denis Diderot • Combine articles of leading Philosophes covering every subject possible. • Leading philosophes of the time contributed articles on everything from criticizing aspects of society, the church, government, the slave trade, torture, taxes, and war • Created The Encyclopedia

  12. Mary Wollstonecraft • Early spokesperson for Women’s Rights • Argued the ideals of equality should be extended to women as well as men. • Governments should extend political rights to women as well • Women should also enjoy educational freedoms as well • WroteA Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

  13. Adam Smith • Adam Smith considered the Father of modern Economics • Wrote the Wealth Of Nations • Argues that free market should be allowed to regulate business not the government • Mercantilism is the devil • Laissez Faire • To leave alone. Let business to operate with little government intervention

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