Enlightenment

Question 1

What was ‘ the enlightenment’?

Answer 1

An intellectual movement that developed in Europe during the 18th century. It criticized the system of the ancient regime and demanded changes in the way the countries were ruled.

Question 2

What authors from the ancient regime inspired these ‘enlightenment thinkers’?

Answer 2

Locke, Descartes and Newton

Question 3

Why did the ‘enlightenment’ oppose feudal society?

Answer 3

They believed the system was only based on tradition and not on reason. They also believed capacity should determine inequalities and not birth.

Question 4

What were the main principles of the Enlightenment?

Answer 4

Rationalism, Nature, Pursuit of happiness, Science and Progress, Equality and Liberty, Learning and teaching.

Question 5

Explain Rationalism

Answer 5

Reason is the path to knowledge. It also states established ideas can be questioned. Beliefs and religion are not rational.

Question 6

Explain Nature

Answer 6

Nature is the source of knowledge and that by observing natural facts we can obtain knowledge.

Question 7

Explain Pursuit of Happiness

Answer 7

Pursuing happiness is the main goal of life and we can achieve this through education

Question 8

Explain Science and Progress

Answer 8

Science would lead us to a path of constant progress and perfection. It also states that scientific method is the only form of rational knowledge.

Question 9

Explain Equality and Liberty

Answer 9

All people should enjoy the same legal rights and freedoms

Question 10

Explain Learning and Teaching

Answer 10

Learning and teaching are essential and people must learn as much as possible and teach others in order to educate and ‘enlighten’ society.

Question 11

How were Enlightenment ideas spread?

Answer 11

Newspapers, periodicals and books; through schools and special academies; through philosophical meetings in homes to discuss ideas

Question 12

What is the Encyclopaedia?

Answer 12

Multi-volume work that contained all the knowledge of their time (science, philosophy, art, grammar…), published by Diderot and d’Alamert in 1751.

Question 13

Who were the most important Despots?

Answer 13

Frederick II of Prussia; Joseph II of Austria; Catherine II of Russia; Carlos III of Spain

Question 14

What Societal reforms did the despots make?

Answer 14

Favouring of the arts, science and education; Some religious tolerance, freedoms of speech and press

Question 15

What Political reforms did the despots make?

Answer 15

Centralised administration, creation of professional army, limitation of nobility and clergy power

Question 16

What were the objectives of the absolute monarchs?

Answer 16

Combining absolute monarchy with Enlightenment ideas to modernise country and improving quality of life

Question 17

Were these reforms successful?

Answer 17

No. Maintained privileges from the feudal system, and reforms did not guarantee equality and freedom to all.

Question 18

What is political liberalism?

Answer 18

Political liberalism is the group of ideas that supported Liberal revolutions, based on English Parliamentarism (division of power and national sovereignty).

Question 19

Who was Montesquieu?

Answer 19

Separation of powers (legislative, judicial, and executive), and believed England was the best model to follow. Wrote The Spirit of Laws.

Question 20

Who was Voltaire?

Answer 20

Enlightenment thinker who attacked the government and the absolute power of the king and the influence of the Catholic Church in France.
He believed the Parliament was the best way to limit the power of the king.

Question 21

Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau?

Answer 21

He wrote the Social Contract in which he claimed the governor should respect the people’s natural rights, as well as that the citizens should be able to choose their representatives through voting.