enlightenment Flashcards
enlgihtnement
A government where the king or queen has total control, without limits on their power.
Absolute monarchy
The idea that kings get their power directly from God, so they don’t have to answer to anyone else.
divine right
The idea that there are basic rules of right and wrong that everyone can understand using reason.
natural law
Basic rights that people are born with, like life, freedom, and property, and no government can take them away.
natural rights
The idea that people agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and order from a government.
social contract–
An economic system where the government doesn’t interfere much with business or trade.
laissez-faire–
Enlightenment thinkers who wanted to use reason to improve society, like Voltaire and Rousseau
philosophes
Economists who believed that the economy’s wealth comes from farming, and that the government should leave businesses alone.
physiocrats –
Social gatherings where intellectuals and thinkers would meet and discuss ideas, often hosted by women.
salons
A style of art and architecture that’s very detailed, dramatic, and grand.
baroque
An economic system where prices and goods are controlled by supply and demand, with little government involvement.
free market
A lighter, more playful style of art that was popular in the 18th century, with soft colors and elegant designs.
rococo
The belief that God created the world but doesn’t interfere in it, and that reason and nature explain everything.
deism
Someone who believes in Deism – that God created the world but doesn’t intervene in it.
deist
A thinker who argued that the economy works best when businesses are free to compete without government control. He is known as the father of modern economics.
Adam Smith (The Wealth of Nations)
A philosopher who believed that people should agree to follow laws that help everyone, and that government power comes from the will of the people.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract)–
An early advocate for women’s rights, she argued that women should have the same opportunities and rights as men, especially in education.
Mary Wollstonecraft (A Vindication of the Rights of Woman)–
An author best known for writing Robinson Crusoe, a story about survival and adventure, which became one of the first modern novels.
Daniel Defoe (Robinson Crusoe)–
A writer and philosopher who criticized the government, the church, and society. He is known for his sharp wit and his belief in freedom of speech and religion.
Voltaire (Candide)–
A philosopher who questioned ideas about religion and reason, and believed that human knowledge comes from experience and observation.
David Hume–
A thinker who believed that people are naturally selfish and need a strong government to maintain peace and order.
Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan)
A philosopher who argued that people are born with natural rights (life, liberty, and property) and that government’s role is to protect these rights.
John Locke (Two Treatises on Government)–
A thinker who believed that government power should be divided into different branches to prevent any one group from becoming too powerful.
Montesquieu (Spirit of the Laws; The Persian Letters)–
The editor of the Encyclopedia, a massive collection of knowledge that aimed to spread Enlightenment ideas about science, politics, and society.
Denis Diderot (Encyclopedia)–
The king of Prussia who modernized his country, promoted education, and allowed more religious freedom, while still keeping strong control over the government.
Frederick the Great–
The Empress of Russia who expanded the Russian Empire, supported arts and education, and made some reforms, but kept autocratic control.
Catherine the Great
The Holy Roman Emperor who attempted to reform his empire by promoting religious tolerance, ending serfdom, and modernizing laws, but faced resistance.
Joseph II
Advocated for religious tolerance and freedom of speech.
Voltaire
Monarchs who embraced some Enlightenment ideas while maintaining absolute power.
Enlightened Despots:
Supported religious tolerance, legal reforms, and improved education while strengthening the monarchy.
Frederick the Great (Prussia)
What is Deism and how does it contribute to the change in attitudes during the Enlightenment?
belief in a rational, non-interventionist God who created the universe but does not intervene in human affairs. It contributed to the Enlightenment by promoting reason, natural law, and the rejection of traditional religious authority.
How did music, art, and literature change as a result of the Enlightenment?
Music became more structured and formal, with composers like Bach and Mozart. Art moved towards Neoclassicism, focusing on reason, clarity, and symmetry. Literature became more focused on reason, individualism, and satire, with writers like Voltaire and Rousseau.
What are salons and who participated in them?
Salons were gatherings of intellectuals, artists, and writers, usually hosted by women in private homes. They played a significant role in the spread of Enlightenment ideas, fostering discussions on politics, philosophy, and society.
What are some specific ways in which the “Enlightened Despots” enacted change?
Enlightened despots, like Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great, enacted reforms such as promoting education, legal reform, and religious tolerance. They also modernized economies and bureaucracies to increase their control and effectiveness.
How did Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great use the Enlightenment to their advantage?
Catherine the Great used Enlightenment ideas to justify her expansionist policies and reforms, though she did not fully implement them. Frederick the Great reformed the legal system, promoted education, and simplified the administration, using Enlightenment principles to consolidate his power and strengthen the state.
Where did the concept of coffeehouses originate?
Coffeehouses originated in the Middle East, particularly in the Ottoman Empire, before spreading to Europe in the 17th century.
How did coffeehouses contribute to the spread of Enlightenment ideas?
Coffeehouses became meeting places for intellectuals and public discussions, fostering the exchange of ideas on politics, philosophy, and science. They were key to the spread of Enlightenment thought across Europe.
Why would the middle and professional urban class be the main audience for Enlightenment works and ideas?
The middle and professional urban class had the education, leisure time, and financial means to engage with Enlightenment ideas. They were also seeking social and political reforms that aligned with the Enlightenment’s values of reason, individual rights, and social progress.
