T3: New philosophical + political ideas

Question 1

argument for the confessional state ending?

Answer 1

• never fully functioning from 1660, failed by 1688 - because radical ideas grew in 1640s+50s e.g. with Toleration Act 1651

Question 2

argument against the confessional state ending?

Answer 2

• 1661 Act of Uniformity and Clarendon Code reimposed a confessional state and harsh persecution
• Even after 1689, Jews + Catholics never tolerated, Protestant dissenters treated as second class citizens

Question 3

overall, out of 10, how far did the confessional state end?

Answer 3

7/10

Question 4

what did Thomas Hobbes publish in this period?

Answer 4

Leviathan

Question 5

when was Leviathan published?

Answer 5

1651

Question 6

what did Hobbes argue in Leviathan ?

Answer 6

• Law and a strong single leader/government necessary to prevent society collapsing into chaos and anarchy
• People should enter into a ‘social contract’ which means giving up some individual rights and freedoms in order to ensure order and be protected
• Thomas Hobbes used this argument to justify his belief in a strong, absolutist monarchy

Question 7

to what extent did Hobbes’s Leviathan cause change?

Answer 7

conceptual change (5/10) but not so much actual change (2/10). he still believed in a strong absolutist monarch, but changed the justification for it - protection from chaos rather than divine right

Question 8

what did John Locke publish in this period?

Answer 8

Two Treatises on Government

Question 9

when was Two Treatises on Government
published?

Answer 9

1689

Question 10

what did Locke argue in Two Treatises on Government?

Answer 10

• Rejected the confessional state - believed in some toleration
• Role of government = to protect the basic rights of life, liberty and property- citizens could destroy the government if it did not drive the people in this way, as no divine right
• Legislative, executive and judicial should be separate to prevent government abuse of power- this still underpins modern Western democracies

Question 11

argument for Locke’s TToG not causing change?

Answer 11

Limited impact on contemporary government, not influential right away. At the time of publishing, thought to be radical ideas.
Thought by some to be a justification for the Glorious Rev, which had actually been shaped by elite interests

Question 12

argument for Locke’s TToG causing change?

Answer 12

Very different- the idea of having the right to challenge rulers + separation of powers- foundations of modern democracy - transformative, widespread and long lasting. Hugely influential over time.

Question 13

overall, out of 10, how impactful was John Locke’s Two Treatises on Government?

Answer 13

9/10