Chapter

16
The Enlightenment
and the Age of
Reason
 The Beginnings of the Enlightenment
Scien:sts and philosophers used reason to seek
truths about human nature because they wanted to
enlighten, or shine light on, this new way of nding
out about the world came to be called
Enlightenment.
The Enlightenment is also known as the Age of
Reason.
Ancient Greeks and Romans used observa:on, logic,
and reason to gain knowledge.
During the Middle Ages, as Chris:anity spread faith
became more important than reason.
Chris:anity introduced the idea that all people were
equal to God, and equality became a key feature of
Enlightenment thinking.
Ancient Greeks and Romans, the Renaissance, the
Reforma:on all contributed to the Enlightenment.
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 European Philosophers
John Locke from Oxford University, wrote that the
power of government came from people, not from
God or from a ruler.

Locke believed that the government was bound to

protect peoples natural rights of life, liberty, and
property.

Locke argued that people had a right to revolt if a

ruler failed to protect peoples natural rights.

Thinkers known as philosophes, which is French for

philosophers, believed reason could solve every
problem and began to apply scien:c method to try
to solve social problems.

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 Other European Philosophers
Francois Marie Arouet, beVer known as Voltaire, spoke out
against religious intolerance and against supers::on in the
Church.
Voltaire also called for freedom of speech and that each
person had a right to liberty (freedom).

Baron de Montesquieu opposed absolute monarchs, a system
of government ruled by kings, queens, and emperors.
Montesquieu thought that a government should be divided
into 3 separate branches (separa:on of power), in order to
create checks and balances of power.

Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote The Social Contract, in which he

argued that democracy was the best form of government.
Rousseau believed all people were created equal, and that
people should decide by votes how they want to be
governed.

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 Bill of Rights
(First 10 Amendments in the
Cons>tu>on)

1)Religious and Poli:cal Freedom

2)Right to Bear Arms
3)Quartering Troops
4)Search and Seizure
5)Rights of Accused Persons
6)Right to a Speedy and Public Trial
7)Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
8)Limits of Fines and Punishments
9)Rights of People
10)Powers of States and People
 Women and the Enlightenment
Philosophers strongly supported the equality of men,
but most held tradi:onal views about women.

During the Enlightenment, women took up the cause of
womens rights.

Wealthy and talented women hosted social gatherings

called salons. The eras best thinkers and ar:sts
discussed ideas on an equal basis in the salons.

In 1792, Mary Wollstonecrae published A Vindica2on of
the Rights of Woman to argue that well-educated
women would help create enlightened families.

Women were not able to vote in the U.S. un:l the
passage of the 19th Amendment in August 18, 1920.

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 Democra>c Ideas Develop
European monarchs with absolute power that
wanted to use their power in a just and enlightened
way were known as enlightened despots.

Frederick II of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria, and

Catherine the Great the Russia were all enlightened
despots.

FREDERICK II OF PRUSSIA
Frederick II ruled Prussia (what is now Poland and
northern Germany) from 1740 un:l 1786.
Frederick who was a Protestant called himself the
rst servant of the state.
Fredericks several reforms included: religious
tolerance toward Catholics, a more just legal system,
freedom of the press, improved educa:on, and
outlawed torture.
 Democra>c Ideas Develop
JOSEPH II OF AUSTRIA
Joseph II of Austria ruled from 1780 to 1790, and
based his reforms on the principles of equality and
freedom.
Joseph abolished serfdom, allowed freedom of the
press, freedom of worship (even for Jews),
improved the jus:ce system, and abolished the
death penalty.

CATHERINE THE GREAT
Catherine the Great of Russia ruled Russia from
1762 to 1786.
Catherine supported ideas of Montesquieu
(separa:on of powers and checks/balances),
developed Russias natural resources, opened
hospitals and schools, and supported the arts.
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 Democracy in America
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jeerson, George
Washington, James Madison and other Founding
Fathers led Americans revolt against Great Britain
during the American Revolu:on.
Americans revolted against Great Britain because
they had to pay taxes, but felt the Bri:sh
government was not protec:ng their rights.
Americans were not represented in the Bri:sh
Parliament, no taxa:on, without
representa:on!
On July 4, 1776, the American colonies declared
independence from Britain with the signing of the
Declara>on of Independence.
The Declara:on of Independence had John
Lockes belief in natural rights and equality when
it states, all men are created equal.
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 Trial No Protection Rights to Free Natural Religious
taxation
by without of the law petition speech rights freedom
jury represe
ntation
Magna Carta X X X
(1215)
English Bill X X X X
of Rights
(1689)
Declaration of X X X X X X
Independence
(1776)
U.S. Bill of X X X X X X
Rights
(1791)