Enlightenment Flashcards
(21 cards)
Enlightenment
a political and philosophical movement since the scientific revolution affected views on government. Began by discussing the role of government
Thomas Hobbes
believed that people are intimately bad. Wrote Leviathan. Said that monarchs should have autocratic rule over people. Rulers keep people in line, control. Absolute monarchs.
Leviathan
a mythical seamonster created by Hobbes. Hobbes used this image as a king that people needed to control them. Social Contrast- He receives power and he gives order and peace.
Hobbes & Monarchs
Hobbes felt that all people enter into a social contract with monarchs. If people give monarch power, monarch gives people order and peace.
Believed in divine right.
John Locke
(french philosopher) believed that people are good. Believed that when you are born, you have natural rights. Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Advocated ‘consent of the governed’- government must have the consent of the people before passing laws. Said that God favored natural rights.
Locke & Declaration of Independence
Locke’s ideas won. Declaration of Indepenence (consent of government). French revolution (can overthrow governemtn).
Voltaire
“I disapprove of what you say, but I defend your right to say it.” HATED the church. Believed Church & State & Monarchy & Aristrocracy to be corrupt nobilitiy. Thought that there should be no titles of Nobility.
Montesquieu
- believed in separation of powers
Beccaria
- no torture of prisoners, #8, Speedy Trials
Wollstonecraft
female! First feminist, promoted equal education for women.
Salon Meeting
a social gathering
listened to a poem, music, discussions of art & polictcs.
Madame Geoffrin
- famous salon host
Fredrick II of Prussia
- enlightened despot
- believed he was the “first servant to the state.”
- Read Voltaire
- Dressed plain
- Forbade torture
- Improved literacy
Other enlightened despots
Joseph II of Austria, Catherine of Russia
Who thought of Natural Rights- Life, Liberty, Property and what was its impact?
John Locke and impact: Fundamental to U.S Declaration of Independence
Who thought of Separation of powers and what was its impact?
Montesquieu and impact: France, United States, and Latin American nations use separation of powers in new constitution
Who thought of Freedom of thought and expression and its impact?
Voltaire and impact: Guaranteed in U.S Bill of Rights and French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen; European monarchs reduce or eliminate censorship
Who thought of Abolishment of torture and its impact?
Beccaria and impact: Guaranteed in U.S Bill of Rights; torture outlawed or reduced in nations of Europe and the Americas
Who thought of Religious freedom and it’s impact?
Voltaire and impact: Guaranteed in U.S Bill of Rights and French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen; European monarchs reduce persecution
Who thought Women’s equality and its impact?
Wollstonecraft and impact: Women’s right groups form in Europe and North America.
How did Scientific lead up to Enlightenment?
Scientific Revolution -> Telescope-> Proved Aristole Wrong -> People started questioning science -> People started questioning government Enlightment
