The Enlightenment RevisitedChapter 11 Section 4

Principal Characteristics of Enlightenment

• 1700s known as the Age of Enlightenment• Rationalism – Belief that reason and scientific

method could explain human nature.• Secularism – Downplaying the importance of

religion.• Philosophers or Philosophes – Thinkers of the

Enlightenment

Thinkers of the Enlightenment • Hobbes – Absolute monarchy, people were cruel,

and social contract.• Locke – Limited monarchy, people were

reasonable, and freedom is better than power.• Voltaire – Freedom of speech and religion.• Montesquieu – power divided by 3 branches with

checks and balances.• Rousseau – People are good, but corruptible.

Believed in direct democracy• Beccaria – Against torture and capital

punishment. For fair and speedy trial.

What About The Women?

• Mary Wollstonecraft– Argued for equality with men.– Personal Freedom– Economic Independence.– Same educational opportunities– Right to vote!

Extended Vocabulary

• Enlightened Despotism – system of government in which absolute monarch would rule, but according to the principles of the Enlightenment.

• Popular Sovereignty – Government created by the people and controlled by the people.

Extended Thinking

• Where did this occur?• Where do you think it will occur next?

• Page 304 - #’s 3,4, and 5.