The Enlightenment and its Impacts Flashcards
What was the enlightenment? What other intellectual movement does it have parallels with? - Enlightenment
The enlightenment was an intellectual movement based around rational, informed thought based on observation.
Has strong parallels with the Scientific Revolution of the 16th/17th centuries.
What is dogma? - Enlightenment
Dogma is the acceptance of the status quo within society without any questioning or opposition to it.
How did John Locke influence the enlightenment? - Enlightenment
John Locke, an English political philosopher, was a major advocate of a government which sought the consent of the public for its actions.
Who was Montesquieu? What were his key ideas? In what notable products did he express these ideas? - Enlightenment
Montesquieu was a magistrate and president of the Bordeaux Parlement. He strongly believed in the separation of powers between the 3 branches of government, but also highlighted the need for the nobility and their privilege.
‘Persian Letters’ and ‘The Spirit of Laws’.
Who was Voltaire? What were his key ideas? - Enlightenment
Voltaire was a writer of plays, novels and poetry, producing scathing satires which were critical of the lack of equality and justice in France (no right to fair trial or civil equality).
How was Voltaire persecuted by the government? What place inspired many of his ideas? What were his notable works? - Enlightenment
Voltaire spent a year imprisoned in the Bastille by a lettre de cachet, before fleeing to England where he discovered the very liberal freedom of speech and press. Wrote ‘Candide’.
Who was Rousseau? What were his key ideas? What is his main work expressing these ideas? - Enlightenment
Rousseau was writer who was under constant pressure by the French government. He was an advocate of the ‘social contract’ the idea that government should rule with obligations to the people in mind, and that the people should be able to overthrow an abusive government. His main work was entitled ‘The Social Contract’.
Who was Diderot? What was his main work? - Enlightenment
Diderot was a former lawyer turned writer, whose main work was the Encyclopédie, an attempt to gather all human knowledge in one place.
How did Diderot’s work contrast with the beliefs of French society at the time? What happened to encyclopédie? - Enlightenment
Diderot’s attempts to gather all human knowledge in one place opposed the societal hierarchy whereby knowledge was largely kept away from the working classes and reserved only for the nobility.
Encyclopédie was later banned after its enlightenment undertones were seen, mainly as a result of the Church’s command.
What were key social enlightenment ideas? - Enlightenment
The philosophes largely believed in greater social liberty (with exception of Montesquieu), such as for freedom of expression and association, freedom of knowledge and greater access to justice through a more laissez-faire attitude from government.
What were key political enlightenment ideas? - Enlightenment
Key political enlightenment ideas included the idea of the separation of powers (Montesquieu), the social contract for the enacting of policies (Rousseau), the ending of absolute monarchy/introduction of constitution.
What were key religious ideas of the enlightenment? - Enlightenment
Key religious ideas included the prevention of corruption within the First Estate, the reduction in Church control of daily lives, opposition to the ‘great chain of being’ which enshrined the hierarchy of French society religiously.
What was mercantilism? Why was it divisive? - Enlightenment
Mercantilism is the traditional economic policy of heavy state interference and control over the economy, trade and business. Used taxes and monopolised businesses to regulate trade. Divisive because it was heavily restrictive.
What sort of people would attend Enlightenment gatherings at salons? - Enlightenment
Salons could be attended by both the bourgeoisie and nobles, as well as being heavily visited and often hosted by women. Allowed a great accumulation of different groups within society, very inclusive.
What sort of people would attend Enlightenment gatherings at Freemasonry Lodges? - Enlightenment
Freemasonry lodges would be solely attended by upper class men, meaning that their debate would be restricted to the wealthier sectors of society.
What sort of people would attend Enlightenment gatherings at Academies? - Enlightenment
Only attended by intellectual scholars, who would discuss social and political matters, as well as observe lectures and debates on issues.
What was France’s urban literacy rate? Why was this significant for the enlightenment? - Enlightenment
France’s urban literacy rate was around 60% (very high for the time), meaning that pamphlets, poetry and novels were able to spread enlightenment messages throughout the working classes.
Who was Thomas Paine? Why was he important to the American Revolution? - Enlightenment
Thomas Paine was an English Political writer whose work ‘Common Sense’, inspired many colonists to break free from the control of the English.
Where was the centre of Enlightenment debate in America? - Enlightenment
Philadelphia
When was the Declaration of Independence signed? - Enlightenment
Declaration of Independence signed in 1776
Which philosophe’s political ideas were implemented upon the creation of the USA? How was this done? - Enlightenment
Montesquieu’s ideas around the separation of powers within a political system were adopted, with separate executive (President), legislative (Senate and House of Representatives) and Judicial (independent) branches.
Between which years did the American Revolution take place? Why? - Enlightenment
The American Revolution was between 1775 to 1783.
Occurred due to the 13 colonies wanting different taxation laws to the ones imposed on them by the British.
When was France first involved in the American Revolution? How? - Enlightenment
France’s first involvement was in 1776, when the French government provided 5 million livres of aid, in the form of ammunition and gunpowder, within one year.
Who is a notable example of a French volunteer aiding the cause in America? - Enlightenment
The Marquis de Lafayette was a young French aristocrat, inspired by the enlightenment, to go and join the American cause.
When did France first officially show support to the American cause? - Enlightenment
France first openly supported American colonists in 1778.
What Treaty signalled the end of the American Revolutionary Wars? When was this signed? - Enlightenment
The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution, signed in 1783.
Why was the American Revolution particularly damaging to France’s politics and economy? - Enlightenment
The boost given to enlightenment thinking through the success of the Americans breaking free from an unwanted regime threatened to derail the French political system.
The economy was plunged into doom due to the heavy financial costs of the war.
