Transcript Age of Absolutism

Enlightenment & Revolution
Enlightenment
 “Age
of Reason”
 Philosophical movement in the 18th
century.
 Rejection of traditional social, religious,
& political ideas.
 Emphasis on rationalism & individuality.
Philosophes

Social critics in France
during the 1700s


Met in salons
Influenced by
England
Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations (1776)
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Economist: pro-capitalist
Gov shouldn’t regulate—Laissez-Faire
Defines economics in three “natural laws”
Productive when “self-motivated”
2. Competition = Balanced marketplace
3. Supply/Demand are product of free trade
1.
Thomas Hobbes
English Philosopher – writes
Leviathan (1651)
 Man is evil
 Strong gov (Absolute)
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People have no rights
No right to rebel
Social Contract

Give up certain rights=order
in society
John Locke

English –Two Treatises of Government (1690) &
Declaration of Rights of Man (1690)

Against absolute rule
 Self-government
by people
 Men are born equal and free
 Natural Rights
 Gov should protect rights
 If they don’t = Revolution
Jean Jacques Rousseau

Swiss-Frenchman

The Social Contract
(1762)
Individual freedom of
people
 Direct Democracy
 Also used Social
Contract
 Inspired French Rev
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Voltaire

Candide (1759)

Fought for religious
freedom and freedom
of speech
Montesquieu

French nobleman –The Spirit of Laws (1748)
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Separation of Powers (Checks & Balances)
 England’s System of Government
 King/Ministers – Executive Power
 Parliament – Legislative Power
 Judges – Judicial Power

Idea later became basis for the US Constitution
Casare Beccaria

Italian, On Crimes and
Punishments (1764)
Speak out in favor of fair
and just punishments (No
brutality)
 People have the right to:

 Fair
& speedy trial
 Not be tortured
 No capital punishment.
Mary Wollstonecraft

English woman

A Vindication of the Rights
of Women (1792)
 Same
rights as men
 Education
Enlightened Despots

Kings or queens who rule
with Enlightenment ideals
 Frederick
the Great
 Maria Theresa
 Joseph II of Austria
 Catherine the Great