Describe the main ideas of the Enlightenment &
explain how those ideas were spread throughout
society & down to the mass population .
Voltaire (Francous Marie Arouet) (1694-1778)
Deism
The Encylcopedia (1751-1772)
Adam Smith (1723-1790)
Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1778)
All played a large role in Enlightenment. Basically said
there is a reason for everything, not just magic. Defining
intellectual and cultural movement of the 18th century.
Expression of intellectual maturity, attainment of
understanding soley by using one’s reason without being
influenced by dogma, superstion, or another person’s
opinion. Process of thinking for oneself and knowledge of
human society and human nature that one achieved as a
result. More of a frame of mind, an approach to obtaining
knowledge than a set of clearly defined beliefs.
What Impact did the Sci. Rev. have on the thinking
& worldview of Europeans?
Sci. Rev. (300 years) is the largest change in European
History. Old world view = god-centered, earth as center of
universe. World was perfect as god created it. = Fatalism.
Old world, people thought of magic. Sci. rev. = reason &
explanation for things. Reason vs. belief. Allowed proper
trials, changed stat quo. Created further ideas that led to
constant change & Growth. Said change & growth are
good.
The religious, political, economic Turmoil, of the
17 th
century forced European monarchs to try &
stabilize their kingdoms. Comparing Louis XIV,
Charles I, & Peter the Great, which was most
successful at establishing absolutist monarchial
power? Discuss all three, then which was most
successful & why?
Charles I (1625-1649 England), implemented the idea of
personal rule (lasted 1629-1640).. Conducted prerogative
(didn’t always work with parliament) Impressive to dismiss
parliament in 1629. Forcefully Didn’t create absolute
monarchy, lived with parliament ways. Smart in how he
staged his views saying people against the govt should be
punished, could have been better if not for war needs.
Wasn’t smart enough, people caught onto his plans, killed
in 1649.
Louis XIV (1643-1715, France), into culture & arts,
subsidized publication of new journal des savants, founded
academie des sciences, & academie francaise. He catered
to the masses well. Fought 4 wars, wanted territorial
acquisiton, didn’t get empire he wanted. Couldn’t collect
enough taxes to pay for war, had to conclude peace in
1697. Lead to treaty of balance of power. Inherited an
already successful reign in France.
Peter the Great (1682-1725, Russia) Westernized Russia,
changed life & the way people dress, cut off beards,
women participated in social culture. Reformed calendars
and books, new reforms also allowed peter to beat turk &
Swede enemies. Learned navy from dutch & british, had
200,000 men. Took over everything, rebranded Russia.
Improved administrative efficiency, made it possible for
men of non-atristocratic birth to attain the same status as
old landowning nobility. Constructed gulf at St. Petersburg,
secures access to Baltic sea, making them a naval power.
IMO he was the most successful. Took nothing and turned
it into something.
Why does the Dutch republic become a center of
artistic, literary, and scientific experimentation
during the 17 th
& 18 th
centuries? Explain w/
examples
Not only did they have shipping ports that allowed it to
become an economic powerhouse, they had favorable trade
with financial institutions. Their religious policy was the
main reason. The dutch didn’t enforce religious beliefs,
allowing people to be more free thinkers. Amsterdam
attracted diverse immigrants. People wanted to go to the
Dutch to be free. Grew artists like, Rambrandt van Rijin
(1606-1669), Franz Hals (1580-1666) & Jan Steen (1626-
1679). Dutch art reflected religious, social & political
climate of the era & also allowed paintings of everyday life
(illustrated realism) Dutch had freethinking.
Secularism (England, Sci. Rev.) Reduction of the
importance of religion in society & culture
Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778, French) “The
social contract” 1762, idea of general will of society,
men are born free & put into chains by society.
People can explore best interests. Contradicts adam
smith b/c it says how society impacts individual.
General Will (1789, French Revolution) Rosseau,
occurs in the declaration of the rights of man. Law is
expressed as the general will
Chaiers (1789, Soc. Rev. France) Middle class, Louis
XVI communicated middle class greviaces like tax
rates & attacked the privileged, demanded freedom of
the press, attacked principle of nobility. Great fear
that peasants would overthrow feudal privleges,
nobles flee. France = Emigrees.
Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797, England) Prominent
African American involved in the british movement
for the abolition of slave trade. Wrote & published life
story & passing around info about the slave trade
Joint-Stock Company (1602-1620, Netherlands)
Dutch to East India Co. encourages investment, want
trade to happen but only under state
Seven Years’ War (1756-1763, British & French)
dominate European powers in North America. Britain
got control of French Canada and territory east of
Miss. River. Britain became leader in overseas
colonies
Navigation Acts (1651- 1800, English Colonies)
Series of laws that restrict the use of foreign shipping
for trade b/w England and coloniesd. Passed under
mercantilism, repealed w/ Lassiez faire.
Fluitschip (Early 1600’s, Netherlands) Built new ship
that costs ½ of british & French ship, same size. Uses
½ the crew to build it. Helps dutch become economic
powerhouse.
Chocolate (17th Century) Cortes a Spanish
conquistador, large trade b/w new world & England
& spain. Chocolate contributed to 3 transformations
of western life. Spain est. monopoly over trade.
Atlantic Slave Trade (1519-1867, Britain, France,
Dutch, Spain, Portugual) Slave labor allowed
economies in Europe to develop. Formed the crucial
link in the triangular pattern of commercial routes
that began from Africa. Largest in size, 11 million
shipped to new world.
Abolition of Slave Trade (Late 18th century) in
Britain people refused to buy sugar. 1807-British,
1814-Dutch, 1815-French, 1838-Spain, 1850
Portugese
British East India Co. (1600-1857) English joint
stock company, granted royal charter by queen of
England 1600. Had private armies and admin.
Functions
American Revolution (1775-1783) Rejected
parliament to govern w/o representation. British
sent troops ober, taxation, US governing bodies
stopped. British said it was good b/c they beat the
French, british emerge as a naval power, exports to
America increase
Declaration of Independence (1776, Thomas
Jefferson, John Hancock, John Adams) John Locke’s
theories, English common law that govt. can’t
encroach on property rights, republican ideas from
Greece and Rome. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
Haitain Revolution (1789-1804, French Carribean
Colony) Revolt against islands’ white planters that
was under the protection of the French. Slave revolt
90% of pop. In 1801 & the French takeover, abolish
slavery & drive out people in 1803. It’s unqualified
declaration of human equality & abolishment of
slavery inspired abolishment in 19th century.
Nobles of the Sword (1593-1610, France) Under
rule of Henry IV, coops the nobles and sells titles and
creates nobles of the robe. Nobles of the sword are
the old nobles. Henry IV doesn’t have to call the
estates general
Serfdom ( 1640-1688, Europe, Prussia; Frederick
William, Jonkers) Peaseants under feudalism, form of
slavery; require to work, helped economies grow,
made Prussia powerful
Bourgeoisie How society worked in Europe. Diff was
how you made your $. Middle class, do intellectual
things, get hands dirty w/business. Haute
Bourgeoisie was upper-middle class, professionals,
business owners. Petite Bourgeoisie = lower middle
Encyclopedia (1751-1772, Denis Didert) Diffused
enlightenment ideas, used to obscure articles to
communicate ideas of enlightenment to the masses.
14,000-16,000 sold by 1789.
Bartonnet Case (Enlightenment, mid 18th century.
Marie Bartonett, France)acussed of infanticide. New
legal values in France during the enlightenment, less
likely that people would be hung for a crime.
Enlightenment (1700’s, Voltaire, Adam Smith, Baron
de Montesquieu, Jean Rosseau, Mary Woolstone Craft;
Europe) Scientific revolution leads to ideas and basis
for enlightenment. An intellectual movement that
emphasized the use of reason and the application of
laws of human nature to society. Promoted idea that
change and progress in society were good while at
the same time, promoting ideas that directly
benefited the middle class by reducing the old
powers in Europe. Society become more rational
Baron De Montesquieu (1689-1778, Paris) Spirit of
the laws (1748) Idea of checks & balances in Govt.
Executive, l egislative and judicial branches. Believed
in speration of powers. Influence on US constitution.
MOST INFULENTIAL POLITICAL WRITER OF THE
ENLIGHTENMENT
Thomas Paine (1737-1809, England) Most radical
political theorists in the enlightenment. Intense
involvement of American revolution. “Common
Sense” 1776-Present, case for American
independence from Britain, freedom, equality,
rationality. “Rights of man” 1791- linked monarchy
and aristocracy. Influenced American political
development
Frederick the Great (1740-1786, Prussia) one of the
best military minds. Interested in culture, Motzart,
famous for his court. His army was the best trained in
Europe. Makes Prussia, the second in success to
France.
Common Law Unfair to treat similar facts differently
on different occasions. Body of precedent is called
common law and it binds future decisions. If a similar
case has been filed it can be used to determine how
this would go
Enlightened Absolutism Used royal power to
implement reforms that enlightenment thinkers had
proposed. King Frederick II of Prussia was an
example. These rulers didn’t want enlightenment to
takeover b/c they lose power if so.
What 2 new styles of govt. developed as an alternative
to absolutist rule b/w 1600 and 1714? Use examples.
- Parliamentary Govt. English Civil War (1640-1649)
Result: No force loans, no tax without reason, no prision
w/o cause. Be billefing of soldiers @ private homes.
Parliaments can overrule the king. Limit’s king’s power.
Power become decentrialized for king. Parliament
(House of lords & house of commons). Common Law.
Magna Carta; the king is not above the law. King
couldn’t make laws or tax his subjects without consent
of Parliament. Many kings did not like this. Law limiting
time b/w meetings of the parliament to 3 years. Leads to
Charles I to be killed in 1649. Tried to establish republic,
didn’t last. People thought govt. wasn’t creating godly
society. Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) tried to restore
faith in parliament, but died and Charles II comes back
and monarchy, house of lords and church of England
restored but w/parliament adaption. Didn’t like it tho
- Republic Govt.
The Restoration of the Stuarts (1660-1688) Charles II &
James II. Glorious revolution (1688) William of Orange
(1689-1702) & Mary (1689-1694) Bill of Rights; life,
liberty, property. People backed them up. State
formations. Dutch empire; 17 provinces – estates
general. Allows time to think, thinking leads to
innovation & growth. The y tolerate other people &
religious beliefs.
