Background

1300-1600What was the Renaissance?

○ resurgence of learning based on classical sources (Greeks) and gradual but widespread educational reform

What was the Reformation?○ Questioning of the church and beliefs

(Martin Luther- 95 thesis)

Main Idea Enlightenment:

scientists and thinkers created GREAT changes in science, the arts, government, and religion.

New ideas from the Enlightenment would help lead to the American Revolution.

Nicolaus Copernicus, 1543.

Scientific Revolution Middle Ages: Europeans followed what the Greeks,

Romans, or Bible said about the physical worldThought earth was the center of the universe

mid-1500s, scientists began to question accepted beliefs out of curiosity

Discovery of new lands with new plants and animals raised even more curiosity! (what was this age called?)

Description: created new theories based on:1.Willingness to question old beliefs2.Observation 3.Experimentation

Significance at the end!

Philosopher Group Activity Read about your Philosopher in your book and

then the handout as a group Create a 2 minute speech on:

Biography: Where was the philosopher born? What was his upbringing? What was his job? Where did he study? What book did he write?

Philosophical Ideas: Did this political thinker think people could govern themselves? Is humankind basically good or bad? What, if any, are the underlining ideas behind this person’s thinking?

Beliefs in government: What did this thinker believe is the best form of government? Did this thinker contribute any new political ideas?

Scientific Revolution Nicolaus Copernicus: discovered the earth

revolved around the sun like the rest of the planets and the moon around the earthFeared attack so did not publish till his death!(Significance on next page)

Galileo Galilei: made several discoveries that disproved several ancient beliefsCreated one of the 1st telescopes to study planetsFindings went against the church and was forced to

deny his findings about the planets’ surfacesHis ideas still spread!

Theories Copernicus

Significance:Before: Geocentric:

Earth was center of the universe

After: Heliocentric: Sun was the center of the universe and earth and the other planets revolved around it. (Copernicus)

Scientific Method

New interest in the physical world lead to a new approach in exploration

Created by Descartes + Bacon

1. Asked a question

2. Form a hypothesis/ Attempt to answer

3. Perform experiment

4. Use results to prove or change hypothesis

Isaac Newton

Law of GravityUsed mathematics to show

the motion of the planets had the same impact on humans on earth

every object in universe attracts every other object

New Inventions Emerge!

Microscope: allowed to see creatures to small for the naked eye to see

Weather tools: barometer and thermometer

New instruments lead to better observations, new discoveries

Scientific Revolution

Significance: Rejection of ancient accepted beliefs, went against the church, and found new ways to study science using the scientific method!

Scientific Method became a new philosophy used all over the world and still today!

Background

The scientific revolution encouraged a new way of thinking.

Scholars and Philosophers began to question:ReligionGovernmentEducationEconomics

(Institutions of Society)

Why is it call the age of Enlightenment?

It was a period of new intellectual philosophies that stressed reason, thought, and the power of individuals to solve problems

No longer just accepted beliefs, they wanted evidence for the actions of the institutions of society

Also known as the age of reason! Significance: Changed the way people viewed

society and would lead to several political revolutions

Old School vs. New School Hobbes (absolute power) vs. Locke (natural rights)

A monarch’s rule is justified by divine right

A government’s power comes from the consent

of the governed

Government Philosophers

Thomas Hobbes (Social Contract)Document: LeviathanDealt with human natureDiscussed the relationship between citizens

and their governmentBelieved people give up some of their rights

in exchange for law and order (rights for security)

Significance: His Ideal Government was an Absolute Monarchy: a ruler that had total power and keep citizens under control.

Government Philosophers John Locke (Natural Rights) Document: Two Treaties of Government Locke disagreed with Hobbes!!!

Positive view of human natureBelieved all people are born free and equal with

the natural rights of life, liberty, and property

Unlike Hobbes:Locke believed government existed to protect

these natural rights and if they failed to do so the citizens should overthrow their government

Philosophers of Reason Voltaire

Fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religion and speech

I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it”

MontesquieuSeparation of powers: split up power instead of

allowing a absolute ruler to call all of the shotsChecks and Balances: Each branch should have a

power check on the other branch to limit their power

Philosophers of Reason Rousseau

Human Freedom Promoted a society

where all people were equal

“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”

Women in the Enlightenment Male philosophers spoke of equal rights

but left out women! “All men are born free” How did women

all of a sudden become born slaves? Mary Wollstonecraft

Argued that women, like men, should receive an education

Sec.3 Spread of Enlightenment Main Idea: monarchs (leaders) who

accepted the new reforms tried to start ruling justly (fairly)

Salons: no not hair salons but social gatherings where philosophers, scientists, and others got together to discuss ideasCombine their ideas to create the

Encyclopedia: banned by the church at first

Changes in Music and Art Neoclassical: art that combined the

styles of Greece and Rome (stressed order and simplicity

Classical Music (lighter and elegant) and the Novel become popular

Enlightened Despot Monarchs who embraced Enlightenment

Catherine the Great of Russia ○ Tried to embrace enlightenment but met resistance○ Actually ends up giving nobles more power instead!○ Significance: Tried to reform but failed

Frederick the Great of Prussia○ Supported Religious Freedom○ Improved Education○ Reformed the Justice System○ Did not end serfdom: peasants remained slaves to

landowners (issues dealing with equality) ○ Significance: Made modern reforms

Sec.4 The American Revolution

Main Idea: Enlightenment ideas helped spur the American colonies to shed British rule and create a new nation!!!

Main Theme of Enlightenment Change the relationship between the

citizens and their governmentWe’re tired of being treated unfairly under

Absolute Rule!!!!!

Background

Colonists began to see themselves less and less as British subjects and became angry with the way Britain was trying to control them.

Actions by Britain lead to revolution

Causes of the Revolution

1. High Taxes Britain began to tax the colonies to help pay for

their costly wars causing outrage Colonies had never been taxed by the mainland

before and felt their rights were being broken

2. Boycotts Boycotted (would not buy) British goods in

response to the taxes Hurts Britain’s economy and they removed the tax

3. Enlightenment ideas create the spread of the desire for independence

Declaration of Independence July 1776: Announced their

independence to Britain through the Declaration of Independence that contained ideas from enlightenment philosophers!

American Revolution: Were able to successfully overcome the power British Army (David vs. Goliath)

Americans Create a Republic

Checks and balances (Montesquieu)Each branch prevented the other from

abusing power Federal System

Power is divide between the state and national governments

Bill of RightsTen amendments added to the constitution

protecting basic rights○ Locke, Voltaire

Impact of American Revolution

Important!!!!The combination of the enlightenment and the success of the American Revolution lead to 19th century revolutions in Latin America

Who Do You Think Believed This?

1. Humans are naturally selfish

2. Government is necessary to keep order

3. Without government, the world would be chaotic

4. Giving up some of your rights in exchange for law and order sounds like a good idea

5. The purpose of government is to protect the citizens’ rights

6. If the people do not agree with the government, then the people have the right to rebel and demand change.           

Who Do You Think Believed This?

7. It is important the power is separated and not given to one person

8. Humans are naturally good

9. All people should be free and equal, without social classes and

social hierarchies

10. People know how best to govern their own affairs, not the

government.