THE AGE OF REASON…

The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment

Def: An Intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries marked by a celebration of the powers of Human Reason, a keen interest in Science, the promotion of Religious Tolerance, and a desire to construct governments free of Tyranny…

It affected MANY areas of life – (see the chart)

Science, Theology, Arts, Music, Philosophy, Economics, and Government

There was a concerted effort to try and explain Everything through science, math and reasoned analysis…

The Scientific Revolution continued through this period with the work of Isaac Newton…

Enlightenment Philosophes

Philosophe: an Enlightened thinker or philosopher

Mostly FRENCH/Parisian ‘Elites’…

Gathered in SALONS to discuss/debate ideas, etc..

The most important Four:Diderot- who questioned everything and

compiled the first Encyclopedia

Montesquieu- espoused the idea of a system of Checks/Balances = Separation of Powers in gov’t

Voltaire

Enlightenment…

Voltaire- advocate of Free Speech…

“ I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”…

Anti-Establishment/Anti-Church/est. religion

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Jean Jacques Rousseau- Criticized the Enlightenment…

Wrote the Social Contract

Famous for saying: “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains…”

Said Sovereignty rested w/the PEOPLE, not government… (ultimately people have the power)

Enlightenment- Gov’t…

Period of ‘Enlightened’ Despots…

Rulers who sought to govern by Enlightenment principles while maintaining their Royal powers…

Some leaders initiated reforms in their countries during this time…

Maria Theresa

Enlightened Despots(successful)

Maria Theresa of Austria-

Hapsburg Family successor

Clever, Resourceful

Considered one of the first and greatest of the Enlightened Despots…

Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia

Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia-

Most famous …Leads during Seven Years’War (see video)

Believed he was the first “Servant of the State”

Re-built Prussia into a military power….

Sets-up what will become modern Germany…

Catherine II (the Great) of Russia

Enlightened Despots(unsuccessful)

Catherine II (the Great) of Russia-

Attempted many reforms

Didn’t work- too many problems in Russia

Didn’t do much for the Serfs…(still feudal)

Did expand Russia’s territory (see map)

Joseph II of Austria

Joseph II of Austria-

Attempted great reforms

Too much, too soon/most reforms failed

Adam Smith

Enlightenment…Economics

Adam Smith- Wealth of Nations (see article)

Introduced/espoused a new economic philosophy:

“Laissez- Faire” = (“leave alone”/”hands off”)

Government should STAY OUT of the Economics of a Nation…(the more a gov’t is involved, the more it screws it up!)

He is considered the founder of modern Economics, and of CAPITALISM…

Enlightenment: Music/Theology

Music = the late ‘Classical’ period…

The two greatest composers: Haydn & Mozart…

Then: Beethoven- last of the ‘Classical’, first of the ‘Romantic’ period composers…

Religion/Theology- DEISM- was the new, popular theology of the Enlightenment…also:

Unitarian Universalists, and Christian Scientists

Opponents of ‘Enlightened’ religion: Immanuel Kant, who invents ‘Metaphysics’…(don’t even ask…)

Enlightenment Religion: Methodism…

The Methodist Church and Methodism were founded by John Wesley along with the help of his brother Charles Wesley…

Came out of the Anglican Church…

A reaction to the cold formality of the Church of England…

Stressed the value of a personal relationship with Jesus/God…

Led to a major spiritual revival in England and in the American colonies (Great Awakening)