Absolutism = complete and unrestricted control of a nation by a monarch (Divine Right- an idea that power of monarch is derived from God) no representative.

Absolutism =

complete and unrestricted control of a nation by a monarch (Divine Right- an idea that power of monarch is derived from God)

•no representative gov’t

•done as a means to keep order—very strict

•prevalent in Europe in the 17th century

Reason for Absolutism

Leviathan—Thomas Hobbes

•Written in 1651. Said that:

•Ppl are harsh, violent & evil

•Ab rulers must keep order, control ppl and protect them from each other

•Control acheives through fear of -death -torture -loss of power/status

Age of Enlightenment—16th –18th c.Major Ideas:•Enlightenment was a major change in the way that ppl thought of how they should be governed—inspired by discoveries made during the Sci. Rev.•Ppl in power objected to new ideas, but ideas spread and revolutions began!•Some would say that the Protestant Revolution was an Enlightened movement because it objected absolute power of the Catholic Church

ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS

REVOLUTIONS—when ideas were acted on

Led to

Revolution

•A profound change in the way ppl think or act

•Can be applied to society, gov’t, economics etc.

•Often, revolutions are associated w/ a change in gov’t

•During 17th c., the revolution was based on new ideas and discoveries

Age of Enlightenment = period where accepted ideas and beliefs were questioned and a “thought” revolution occurred.

Age of Science (1500—1700)

•Ppl began to think and analyze scientifically

•Sci theories were questioned

• Led to new way of thinking about nature (Laws governed nature)

Age of Reason(1600—1800)

•Ppl applied new way of thinking to humans

•Began to look for rational laws that governed humans

•Applied to gov’t, religion, economics…

Industrial Revolution 1700s- 1900s.

•Because of the scientific advancements, the industrial revolution occurred in Northwest Europe in the 1700s and later in the U.S. in the 1800s•People moved from their agricultural societies to work on factories•Caused a separation in social class based on positions in the factories and money earned (rich got richer and poor got poorer)•New economic/political philosophies emerged to help correct social justice problems

What Philospohes were For

•Ppl should be equal— No “privileged” classes Poor should not pay for lifestyle of the rich

•Ppl have natural rights (life, liberty, property)

•Gov’t should work for ppl—not against them

•Ppl should be represented in gov’t—voting

•Reason (logic) in Gov’t

What Philosophes were Against

•Following tradition blindly—w/o any proof that it should be followed

Ex:•Power of monarchs/nobles

•Power of Church

•Lack of questioning of authority

John Locke

•English•Wrote Two Treatise on Gov’t•Right to rebel against bad rulers•Natural Rights (life, liberty, property)

Major Thinkers of the Enlightenment

Baron de Montesquieu

Jean Jacques Rousseau

•French•Wrote On the Spirit of Laws•System of “checks & balances”

•French/Swiss•Wrote The Social Contract•Gov’t was legitimate only if ppl consented to it•All ppl are equal

Denis DiderotVoltaire

•French•Used “satire” to criticize•Freedom of speech, religion, the press

•French•Edited Encyclopedia•Power of “intellectual community”

•Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations1. Laissez Faire- Capitalism2. Free Trade: Self Interest, Competition,

Supply and Demand•Hume1. Consent of the Governed2. Humans are equal to their rulers3. All must agree on law