Main Idea The Enlightenment European thinkers developed new ideas about government and society during the Enlightenment. Content Statement 5 /Learning Goal Describe how the Scientific Revolution s impact on religious, political and cultural institutions challenged how people viewed the world. Content Statement 6/Learning Goal (Ch 5-2) Describe how Enlightenment thinkers applied reason to discover natural laws guiding human nature in social, political and economic institutions
Ch 5-2 Vocab Enlightenment Salons Social Contract Philosophes Enlightened despots
Ch 5-2 vocab Enlightenment: a time of optimism and possibility from the late 1600-early 1700 s Salons: gathering in which intellectual and political ideas were exchanged during the Enlightenment Philosophes: philosophers of the enlightenment Enlightened despots: the absolute monarchs in 18 th century Europe who ruled according to the principles of the Enlightenment
SOCIAL CONTRACT *Social Contract*: an agreement between a people and their government stating that people would give up some of their freedom and in return, their government would provide them with peace, security, and order. You might be giving up some of your freedoms but it is best for all concerned. ** speed limit example**
1651 Leviathan Hobbes: Main Work
Hobbes: Views on Society -people are selfish and greedy -in their natural state people would lead lives that were solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short
Hobbes: Ideas of Government/Human Nature needed government to maintain order -argued people should give up some freedoms to a strong leader in exchange for the peace, safety, and order that government could provide. -purpose of government was to maintain order. Called this *social contract
Hobbes: Preferred Government Absolute monarchy: had the power of a Leviathan: powerful sea monster. Strong, centralized government could impose order. Order most important.
Locke: Main Work Two Treatises on Government
Locke: Views on Society believed people were naturally happy, tolerant, and reasonable
Locke: Ideas of Government -argued that all people were born equal with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. -purpose of government was to protect people s natural rights. Government based on consent of the governed -believed monarchs were not chosen by God instead people consent was basis of government
Democracy: Locke: Preferred type of government Locke stated that if government did not protect these natural rights, people should be able to overthrow the government with force. Inspired revolutions in Europe and Americas
Rousseau: Main Work The Social Contract - Man is born free but everywhere is in chains.
Rousseau: Views on Society -people were basically born good. However, society corrupted people.
Rousseau: Ideas of Government government should work for the benefit of the common good, not for the wealthy few. -individuals should give up some of their freedoms for the good of the community. -despised inequality; believed all people were equal and should be recognized as such in society.
Rousseau: Preferred type of Democracy: Government
Montesquieu: Main Work The Spirit of Laws 1748
Montesquieu: Views on Society -people were basically born good.
Montesquieu: Ideas of Government -argued that the best form of government included a separation of powers. -dividing power among branches of government would prevent any individual from abusing its powers. -praised Britain s separation of powers in his book Legislative-Parliament made laws Executive-King and advisers carried out the laws Judicial-courts interpreted the laws -Misunderstood Britain s government. But led to his belief in Checks and balances which was possible because of separation of powers.
Montesquieu: Preferred type of Government One with Checks and balances and separation of powers. Either democracy or parliamentary monarchy or constitutional monarchy **EXTRA NOTES FROM CH 5-2 TO FOLLOW** Will be given in-class.