Chapter 2 - Impact of the Enlightenment Flashcards
What was the enlightenment?
An intellectual and cultural movement which spread across Europe in the 18th century
What did the enlightenment challenge?
Traditional assumptions and ideas such as absolute monarchy, the Church and structure of society
Who were the philosophers?
Enlightened men who sought to establish basic principles of the the country should be governed
What were Thomas Hobbs’ main ideas?
He believed people are evil and selfish and make bad decisions therefore an absolute monarch is needed to tell them what to do
What were John Locke’s main ideas?
Believed in ‘father of liberalism’ which is where people are born with natural rights; life, liberty property and the government is needed to protect these rights
What were Montesqueiu’s main ideas?
Questioned whether government could use power against these rights therefore believed in the separation of powers; executive, judicial, legislative in ‘Spirit of the Law’ book - a powerful but balanced government
‘What were Rousseau’s main ideas?
Government is a ‘contract’ agreement with the people - ‘social contract’. It is the government’s job to protect the people and their rights, and if they are violated, the people have the right to make a new government
What were Voltaires’ main ideas?
Government needs a separation of Church and state and strong belief in religious freedom “I do not agree with what you have to say but I will defend to death your right to say it”
What were Diderot’s’ main ideas?
Written the encylopedia - a compilation of all human knowledge to pass down generations to become educated - led to less reliance on church for progress
Which of the traditional Church ideas did the philosophes attack?
The idea of the ‘Great Chain of Being’ and the ‘Divine right of kings’
What other international model of monarchy were the philosophes interested in?
A limited monarch which shared power with an elected parliament
What were the main church ideas that were criticised by the philosophes?
The ‘Great Chain of Being’ and the ‘Divine right of Kings’
Who were mostly influenced by Enlightenment ideas?
Bourgeoisie
Which international style of monarchy interested the philoshophes?
The English had a ‘limited monarch’ who shared power with an elected parliament
How where the Enlightenment ideas spread?
Cafes, ‘academies’, ‘salons’, ‘freemasonaries’ and other social gatherings
