Chapter 3: The Enlightenment in europe
3A- ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS
The Enlightenment Era lasted from 1685 to around 1815. During this time, people began to think about governments differently than before. Enlightenment thinkers began to apply reason to the human and natural worlds. Many believed that humans had rights and freedoms that came to them naturally. Many great Enlightenment thinkers came out of this period who greatly influenced the governments of Europe and the Americas.
Freedom of Religion
The French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire wrote several letters and essays about religious freedoms. He claimed that humans should be able to practice their religion freely and without intervention from the government. His letters were so controversial for the time he had to publish many of them outside of France. Voltaire’s views on religion were so influential that this freedom was guaranteed in the U.S Bill of Rights as well as the French Declaration of Rights of Man.
The French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire wrote several letters and essays about religious freedoms. He claimed that humans should be able to practice their religion freely and without intervention from the government. His letters were so controversial for the time he had to publish many of them outside of France. Voltaire’s views on religion were so influential that this freedom was guaranteed in the U.S Bill of Rights as well as the French Declaration of Rights of Man.
Freedom of Speech
Along with writing about religious freedom, Voltaire also wrote about freedom of speech. He argued that the government could not control what you say. He wrote many essays and letters about this. Voltaire was a very outspoken individual. He was even jailed in France for a year after mocking a noble french family. Along with freedom of religion, freedom of speech is added to America’s Bill of Rights.
Along with writing about religious freedom, Voltaire also wrote about freedom of speech. He argued that the government could not control what you say. He wrote many essays and letters about this. Voltaire was a very outspoken individual. He was even jailed in France for a year after mocking a noble french family. Along with freedom of religion, freedom of speech is added to America’s Bill of Rights.
Natural Rights
Natural rights, or basic rights that everyone should have, was a concept created by an English philosopher named John Locke. Locke believed that everyone should have the right to “Life, liberty, and property.” he further wrote that no government should be able to take away your natural rights. Thomas Jefferson was such a fan of John Locke, that he based the Declaration of Independence of his concept of natural rights.
Natural rights, or basic rights that everyone should have, was a concept created by an English philosopher named John Locke. Locke believed that everyone should have the right to “Life, liberty, and property.” he further wrote that no government should be able to take away your natural rights. Thomas Jefferson was such a fan of John Locke, that he based the Declaration of Independence of his concept of natural rights.
Women’s Equality
Mary Wollstonecraft was an Enlightenment writer and philosopher from England. After saving her sister from an abusive marriage, the two opened a school for girls in London. In her book A Vindication of the Rights of Women, she argued that there should be equality among men and women. She also preached that women were just as capable as men were in many respects. This thinking became a basis for many women’s rights groups from Europe to North America.
Mary Wollstonecraft was an Enlightenment writer and philosopher from England. After saving her sister from an abusive marriage, the two opened a school for girls in London. In her book A Vindication of the Rights of Women, she argued that there should be equality among men and women. She also preached that women were just as capable as men were in many respects. This thinking became a basis for many women’s rights groups from Europe to North America.
3B- IMPORTANT WORKS OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
During the Enlightenment, there were many writers producing influential works and ideas that spread across the globe. Many talked about how governments should move away from absolute monarchies and better represent the people. These books were widely distributed and read by lots of people. The ideas caught on and eventually led to both the American and French revolutions.
Leviathan
The author of Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes, was greatly influenced by the English Civil War and the chaos that followed. In his book, he argued that without government, life would be “nasty, brutish and short.” A strong government was needed to keep the peace. He also believed in social contract theory, which says the government must have an unspoken agreement to protect people and work in their best interests.
The author of Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes, was greatly influenced by the English Civil War and the chaos that followed. In his book, he argued that without government, life would be “nasty, brutish and short.” A strong government was needed to keep the peace. He also believed in social contract theory, which says the government must have an unspoken agreement to protect people and work in their best interests.
The Spirit of Laws
Another great work of the Enlightenment was The Spirit of Laws by Baron de Montesquieu. Montesquieu was a French lawyer and wrote about the separation of powers, or splitting up power within a government. He believed separating powers within a government in the best interest of the people. He said, “To become truly great, one has to stand with the people, not above them.” Montesquieu’s ideas about the separation of powers became the basis for the checks and balances system in the US Constitution.
Another great work of the Enlightenment was The Spirit of Laws by Baron de Montesquieu. Montesquieu was a French lawyer and wrote about the separation of powers, or splitting up power within a government. He believed separating powers within a government in the best interest of the people. He said, “To become truly great, one has to stand with the people, not above them.” Montesquieu’s ideas about the separation of powers became the basis for the checks and balances system in the US Constitution.
Two Treatises on Government
Two Treatises on Government was written by John Locke. John Locke was an English philosopher and writer. In this book, he argued that man has the natural rights of life, liberty and property. This was a very influential book of the time which was widely read across Europe and the Americas. One of the most important aspects of this work was that Lock believed that the people had a right to rebel against a bad ruler. Basically, if the government was not doing their job, the people had the right to replace them.
Two Treatises on Government was written by John Locke. John Locke was an English philosopher and writer. In this book, he argued that man has the natural rights of life, liberty and property. This was a very influential book of the time which was widely read across Europe and the Americas. One of the most important aspects of this work was that Lock believed that the people had a right to rebel against a bad ruler. Basically, if the government was not doing their job, the people had the right to replace them.
The Social Contract
Jean- Jacques Rousseau, a swiss-born philosopher, was responsible for one of the most influential works of the Enlightenment, the social contract. This was a theory about how the government should treat its subjects. It argued that a government is an agreement or contract between ruler and people. This contract said that the government has to protect and work in the best interest of the people. In return, the people must follow the laws and rules put in place by the government.
Jean- Jacques Rousseau, a swiss-born philosopher, was responsible for one of the most influential works of the Enlightenment, the social contract. This was a theory about how the government should treat its subjects. It argued that a government is an agreement or contract between ruler and people. This contract said that the government has to protect and work in the best interest of the people. In return, the people must follow the laws and rules put in place by the government.
3C- ART AND MUSIC OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
The enlightenment was not only a time for people to start to question the role of government, arts and music of the time began to change as well.
Wolfgang Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a classical composer born in Salzburg Austria. He was a child prodigy, or someone who is very good at something from a young age. He wrote his first piece of music at age five. While he was still young, he moved to Vienna, Austria where he earned a living as a composer. He mixed classical and modern styles while writing requiems, operas, and symphonies. Mozart died at age 35.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a classical composer born in Salzburg Austria. He was a child prodigy, or someone who is very good at something from a young age. He wrote his first piece of music at age five. While he was still young, he moved to Vienna, Austria where he earned a living as a composer. He mixed classical and modern styles while writing requiems, operas, and symphonies. Mozart died at age 35.
Johan Sebastian Bach
Johan Sebastian Bach was a German baroque composer. Baroque was a style of music that was popular from around 1600 to 1750. It is characterized as having contrasting parts transitioning from loud to soft, longer pieces, and different types of musical instruments other than the piano. Bach was the most prolific composer of organ music. Bach saw some success during his lifetime but he did not gain recognition for his music until about 100 years after his death.
Johan Sebastian Bach was a German baroque composer. Baroque was a style of music that was popular from around 1600 to 1750. It is characterized as having contrasting parts transitioning from loud to soft, longer pieces, and different types of musical instruments other than the piano. Bach was the most prolific composer of organ music. Bach saw some success during his lifetime but he did not gain recognition for his music until about 100 years after his death.
Eugene Delacroix
Eugene Delacroix was a French Romantic painter. He was born in France in 1798. He got a start as an artist painting religious scenes, but as he got older he drew inspiration from a variety of sources. He drew lots of inspiration from the historical events going on at the time. His most famous work was called “Liberty Leading the People,” in which he depicted a scene from the French Revolution. Delacroix was known for his emotionally vivid paintings.
Eugene Delacroix was a French Romantic painter. He was born in France in 1798. He got a start as an artist painting religious scenes, but as he got older he drew inspiration from a variety of sources. He drew lots of inspiration from the historical events going on at the time. His most famous work was called “Liberty Leading the People,” in which he depicted a scene from the French Revolution. Delacroix was known for his emotionally vivid paintings.
Beethoven
Ludwig von Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most celebrated composers of all time and his works are often performed by classical composers today. He bridged the gap between classical music and romantic ages of western music. He was well known for his Symphonies as well as his sonatas, or a piece of music with several parts
Ludwig von Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most celebrated composers of all time and his works are often performed by classical composers today. He bridged the gap between classical music and romantic ages of western music. He was well known for his Symphonies as well as his sonatas, or a piece of music with several parts
Francisco Goya
Francisco Goya was a Spanish Romantic painter. He was very involved in the Spanish Enlightenment movement during the late 1700s. During his career, his work ranged from happy and joyful to the dark and the depressing. Goya is known for his documentation of the Peninsular War, a war between Spain and the invading French army. Goya sketched the horrors of war, which was very controversial for the time. His work was seen as a protest of war.
Francisco Goya was a Spanish Romantic painter. He was very involved in the Spanish Enlightenment movement during the late 1700s. During his career, his work ranged from happy and joyful to the dark and the depressing. Goya is known for his documentation of the Peninsular War, a war between Spain and the invading French army. Goya sketched the horrors of war, which was very controversial for the time. His work was seen as a protest of war.
3D- ENLIGHTENMENT LEADS TO REVOLUTIONS
The Enlightenment era ushered in a series of sweeping changes in both Europe and the English Colonies in America. Both the American and French Revolutions were greatly influenced by ideas that came from the Enlightenment period.
A few of the main ideas in particular of the Enlightenment philosophers had the biggest impact.
These include:
A few of the main ideas in particular of the Enlightenment philosophers had the biggest impact.
These include:
Natural Rights
Natural rights, as explained by John Locke, greatly influenced both of these revolutions. In America, the Declaration of Independence drew heavily from John Locke, most importantly the famous phrase, “life, liberty and happiness.” Natural rights are also guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. In France, natural rights were the foundation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, a document about human rights during the French Revolution.
Natural rights, as explained by John Locke, greatly influenced both of these revolutions. In America, the Declaration of Independence drew heavily from John Locke, most importantly the famous phrase, “life, liberty and happiness.” Natural rights are also guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. In France, natural rights were the foundation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, a document about human rights during the French Revolution.
Social Contract
The social contract theory made its way into both the American and French Revolutions. In both revolutions, the social contract theory gave the people reason to overthrow their monarchs. Because of this theory, the American Constitution outlines elections for all offices as well as a way to remove a president from office if they are not doing their job. In France, the people believed that their monarchy was not honoring the social contract and they overthrew it and replaced it with a republic.
The social contract theory made its way into both the American and French Revolutions. In both revolutions, the social contract theory gave the people reason to overthrow their monarchs. Because of this theory, the American Constitution outlines elections for all offices as well as a way to remove a president from office if they are not doing their job. In France, the people believed that their monarchy was not honoring the social contract and they overthrew it and replaced it with a republic.
Balance of Power
Montesquieu’s theory on the separation of powers also found its place in these revolutions. When America was designing its new government, the founders designed three separate branches of the government. These three branches which are the legislative, executive, and judicial, each have the power to check the other two. This system is called checks and balances. In France, the monarchy and 3 estates were removed from power because of how the First and Second Estate abused the peasants of the Third Estate.
Montesquieu’s theory on the separation of powers also found its place in these revolutions. When America was designing its new government, the founders designed three separate branches of the government. These three branches which are the legislative, executive, and judicial, each have the power to check the other two. This system is called checks and balances. In France, the monarchy and 3 estates were removed from power because of how the First and Second Estate abused the peasants of the Third Estate.
Separation of Church and State
During the age of absolute monarchies, religion played an important role. It was often a measure of control for the people. The founders of America and the French Revolution both knew this and took steps to make sure that did not happen again. In America, religious freedom was guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. People had the freedom of religion that was protected by the government. In France, all religions were eventually given both civil and political rights.
During the age of absolute monarchies, religion played an important role. It was often a measure of control for the people. The founders of America and the French Revolution both knew this and took steps to make sure that did not happen again. In America, religious freedom was guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. People had the freedom of religion that was protected by the government. In France, all religions were eventually given both civil and political rights.