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The ChallengeEnlightenment ideas of reason and thought
challenged old society, saw the need for reform to achieve a just
societyMiddle Ages- Time of confusion ppl sought Divine Right Rule,
strict class system, heavenly reward for struggle. Restored order
in SocietyAge of reason defined above as unscientific and
irrational
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Start: How we Spread the IdeasWord of Mouth
Printing Press
Salons/Coffee houses
Diderots Encyclopedia
Music/Muscians
Art/Artists
Books/Writers
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Major Enlightenment IdeasEvery social, political and economic
problem could be solved through the use of reasonGovernments are
created to secure an orderly societySeparation of powers is the
best way to protect human libertiesAll men are created free and
equalA free market should be allowed to regulate trade
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Enlightenment and the EconomyPhysiocrats rejected mercantilism
in favor of a policy called laissez faire.Physiocrats were
Enlightenment thinkers who focused on economic
reformsLaissez-Faire: allowing business to operate with little or
no government interferenceReal wealth comes from productive land
not gold and silverSupported free trade and opposed tariffs
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Adam Smith: Free market should be allowed to regulate business
activityManufacturing, trade, wages, profits and economic growth
are all linked to the market forces of supply and demandWhere there
is demand, suppliers will seek to meet it because there are profits
and economic rewards to be hadSmith supported laissez faire, but
also believed that a government had a duty to protect society,
administer justice, and provide public works.His ideas lead to very
productive economies during the Industrial Revolution (1800s and
1900s)
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Major Enlightenment Ideas for SocietyDetested the slave trade
and slaveryDeplored religious prejudiceDefended freedom of
speechAttacked divine right theoryUrged education for allHated
unequal distribution of propertyBelieved governments should be
freely electedWomens first duty was to her family
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Enlightenment Changes SocietyWomen: Women were not equal and
were criticized for attempting to gain equalitySalons: Men and
women gather in living rooms to discuss Enlightenment ideas (chat
rooms)Music: Ballets and operas become popular (Bach, Handel,
Mozart)Art: Baroque gives way to rococo art (simple, elegant and
charming)Literature: Novels become popular (Robinson Cruesoe)
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Enlightenment Changes SocietyMajority/Lower Class/Peasants: Slow
to change and hurt the worstSerfdom disappears in the west, rises
in the eastPeasants in Western Europe allowed to own or rent
landAll peasants throughout Europe dealt with similar issuesForced
into militaryLands could be torn up without compensation by
nobilitySome peasants become eager for change, some resist change
completely
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German Composer:BACH
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Art of the Enlightenment
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Political Change in England: Had Civil War before Enlightenment
Period intensified. Change was more smooth and gradual. Already had
a limited government set up with Parliament and a Monarchy.
Transformed into Constitutional Government-government where power
is limited and defined by law. Had documents for peoples rights,
Magna Carter and Bill of Rights.
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Declaration of Independence.
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for
one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected
them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the
separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of
nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of
mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights,
governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of
government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of
the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new
government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their safety and happiness
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Political Change in America:John Lockes ideas inspired
revolutionaries in North America.Colonists used Lockes idea of
natural rights, and the peoples right to revolt, to go against the
English governmentColonists quoted from Locke in the Declaration of
Independence.
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The American RevolutionWas the American Revolution just a revolt
against British taxation?How was it based on Enlightenment
principles?In what ways is the Declaration of Independence based on
John Lockes Treatises on Government?
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Changes in Russia, Prussia, and AustriaHow Did our Enlightened
Despots make changes to preserve their government?
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Frederick the Great When Frederick was not busy fighting wars,
he had swamps drained and forced peasants to grow new crops such as
the potato. He had seed and tools distributed to peasants who had
suffered in Prussias wars. Frederick also tolerated religious
differences, welcoming victims of religious persecution. In my
kingdom everyone can go to heaven in his own fashion. Fredericks
reforms were directed mainly at making the Prussian government more
efficient. He reorganized the civil service and simplified laws. A
rationalized bureaucracy also meant a stronger monarchy- and more
power for Frederick himself.
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Catherine the Great Catherine II of Russia read the works of the
philosophes and exchanged letters with Voltaire and Diderot. She
praised Voltaire as someone who had fought the united enemies of
humankind: superstition, fanaticism, ignorance, trickery.
Catherine, who became empress in 1762, toyed with Enlightenment
ideasEarly in her reign, she made some limited (small) reforms in
law and government. She granted nobles a charter of rights and
criticized the institution of serfdom. Like Frederick in Prussia,
Catherine intended to give up no power. In the end, her political
contribution to Russia was not reform but an expanded empire.
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Joseph IIThe most radical of the enlightened despots was the
Hapsburg emperor Joseph II, son and successor of Maria Theresa in
AustriaAn eager student of the Enlightenment, Joseph traveled in
disguise among his subjects to learn of their problems. His efforts
to improve their lives won him the nickname the peasant emperor.
Maria Theresa had already begun to modernize Austrias government.
Joseph continued her reforms. Despite opposition, he granted
toleration to Protestants and Jews in his Catholic empire. He ended
censorship and attempted to bring the Catholic Church under royal
control . He sold the property of many monasteries and converts and
used the proceeds to build hospitals. Joseph even abolished
serfdom, however, Like many of his other reforms this measure was
canceled after his death.
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STOP: How some Governments tried to protect
themselvesCensorship:Writers wrote under false namesBurning
writings:Wrote in countries that allowed freedom of speechImprison
Philosophers/writers:Wrote ideas in fiction books
Voltaire most famously wrote under false names and in fiction
after being prisoned and exiled for his ideas