THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT A Brief Overview
Dec 18, 2015
THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENTA Brief Overview
WHAT WAS THE ENLIGHTENMENT?
A time period also known as the Age of Reason It took place in Europe during the 18th century
(1700s)
WHAT WAS THE ENLIGHTENMENT? During this time, thinkers called philosophes began to use
reason to try to understand how the world worked and how to make it better Old superstitions were rejected and religious beliefs were
challenged There were many political, social, and scientific advances
that affect us still today; as you watch the video, note some of them down
A Salon
IDEAS THAT ORIGINATED DURING THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Right to happiness Science should be practical Discrimination is wrong Separation of church and state Right to privacy Governments should not be all-powerful Freedom of speech Education and prison reforms Seeds of Democracy
WHAT EVENTS WERE CATALYSTS FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT?
The religious warfare of the 1600s So many had died, people began to realize that
intolerance wasn’t working When Louis XIV revoked (got rid of) the
Edict of Nantes 200,000 Protestant refugees fled France
OTHER CAUSES OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Pre-Enlightenment ThinkersRene Descartes
The father of modern rationalism“I think, therefore I am”
The Scientific RevolutionFrancis Bacon
Scientific Method: systematic observations and careful experiments would lead to correct principles
Isaac NewtonNatural laws can be discovered
THE INFLUENCE OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
One of the main issues that was discussed during this time was the role of government
Enlightenment thinkers (philosophes) contributed many ideas to this debate: John Locke- Baron de Montesquieu- Voltaire- Jean-Jacques Rousseau-
Enlightened Absolutism Some of the leaders during the Enlightenment believed in
the ideas of the philosophes Read more about these rulers on page 191-193 and
complete the chart below in your notebook:
Enlightened Absolutism
Name Frederick the Great
The Hapsburgs: Maria and Joseph II
Catherine the Great
Country
Enlightened Actions
Also known for…
Enlightened Absolutism Definition:
Catherine
Frederick
Maria Theresa and Joseph II
Were these leaders truly Enlightened? Why or why not?
What do these quotes mean?
Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
The Results of the Enlightenment
Reason is used to justify different forms of government-not everyone agreed on what was best! Voltaire-Monarchy, Rousseau-Democracy
Stimulated religious tolerance Progress is encouraged
Will help spark an Industrial Revolution Inspired revolutions in the United States,
France, and Latin America Citizens questioning the role of government
SO, WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGED DURING THE ENLIGHTENMENT?Go around to the different stations to find out!
THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
The Role of Women Before the Enlightenment, many people thought women were
__________________ By the end of the Enlightenment, one person began writing about women’s
rights. Her name was:
She wrote this book: She compared they way women were treated to __________ Women also gained power during the Enlightenment by hosting dinner parties
where philosophes came to discuss ideas. These parties were called __________.
Literature and the Arts Music:
Pre-Enlightenment art (Rococo) was:
I predict the Enlightenment will make art more: Enlightenment Art was called: Its characteristics are:
Literature:
Enlightened Absolutism: Use pages 191-193 to complete the chart and answer the questions
below.
Name Frederick the Great
The Hapsburgs: Maria and Joseph II
Catherine the Great
Country
Enlightened Actions
Also known for…
Why are these rulers sometimes known as enlightened despots?
Which leader enacted the most reforms?