Enlightenment and Revolutions (Test Three) - Modern World History

What did Voltaire believe in?

Freedom of speech and religion, the church is irrational.

Who created the Encyclopedia, and what is it?

Diderot created it, a symbol of enlightenment ideals to combine everything that we know in one place

Who wrote the Bill of Rights and what are they?

Thomas Jefferson; amendments to the constitution guaranteeing rights to the citizens

What is Deism?

A new religion that was a form of "rational theology." Belief in God based on reason rather than revelation or the teaching of any specific religion. Belief in god who does not intervene with people's life, but god does exist

What are John Locke's views on human nature?

He believes in the blank slate; we are not born good or bad, instead, we are shaped by our experiences

What are Thomas Hobbes's views of human nature?

We are all born evil, we need authoritarian rule to be a good society

Why was France in trouble economically before the revolution?

There was a famine, so prices of food increased drastically, debt from the 7 years war and the American Revolution, only taxed the 3rd estate, the king overspent a lot.

Who was John Paul Marat?

He was an inflammatory French newspaper man and journalist during the revolution. Professional malcontent. "The Friend of the People." Called for increasing violence and more executions in France.

Who killed Marat?

Charlotte Corday kills him.

How long was the directory in power?

4 years

Did the directory work?

It created more stability, but people were still unhappy. Support of the people is lost, and the military is called in to stop violence.

What does an emperor have power over?

Religion, military, and government

The French constitution of 1791

Stage 1 of the revolution. Installed a limited monarchy because abolition would have been too big of a change. Create a legislative assembly of elected representatives that can be voted on by taxpaying, male citizens only. This forces the 1st and 2nd estate to pay taxes. More moderate phase of the revolution. Only has one house of legislature.

French constitution of 1793

Stage 2 of the revolution. Very radical stage. All taxpayers were able to vote, no matter if they owned land or not. This started the Reign of Terror and the Committee of Public Safety that was headed by Robespierre. Many people were executed with the guillotine including Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. There was intense paranoia that people could be killed for anything they did. France attempts to fully dechristianize. One legislature.

French constitution of 1795

Reconsolidates power in a 5 man "Directory," which doesn't allow one person to have absolute power. There are also two houses of legislature so that 2 out of the 3 houses can pass legislation and make progress. Montesquieu-like ideas. No one branch has ultimate veto power. Only male landowners can vote, disenfranchising many.

Napoleonic code

One house which is called the plebiscite. Starts as Napoleon with the consulate, then he is consul for life, then emperor of France. Modernizes France with regulated economy, new industry and infrastructure, personal religious freedom, and a good education system. Revokes the women's rights. Enfranchises working class and peasants.

Why did the national assembly form?

Because in the estates general, they had 33% of the vote despite the fact that they were 98% of the population of France; 3rd estate wanted a proportional say

What was the "Continental System"?

A means to cripple Britain economically by preventing trade with Britain to European countries

What was Napoleon's downfall?

He got terribly defeated in Russia, and Britain, Prussia, and Austria allied against France.

Rousseau vs Hobbes

Hobbes believed that everyone was born bad, and Rousseau believed that everyone was born good. Hobbes believed in Social Contract and strong government to control, while Rousseau believed that society corrupts us. Both believed utopia was possible, just entirely different was to get there

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted, who was the author?

July 4, 1776; Thomas Jefferson

When and what was Bastille day?

July 14, 1789, the French revolution started with the storming of Bastille which was a prison in the middle of Paris.

What royal family was King Louis XVI a part of?

The Bourbon family

Who was important to the philosophies of both revolutions and why?

John Locke was important because of his philosophy of natural rights

What person and group ran "The Reign of Terror"?

Robespierre and The Committee of Public Safety

What governmental group was formed by the third estate?

The national assembly, in a rebellion against the Estates General

Why did people storm Bastille?

For the weapons in the armory portion, to free the political prisoners, and as an act of insurrection against the government

What are natural laws?

The philosophical laws that are said to govern human nature; can be used to create utopia

Who wrote The Vindication of Women, and what did they stand for?

Mary Wollstonecraft, she was an advocate for women's rights during the Enlightenment

Where was Napoleon defeated by Duke Wellington, and why?

Defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, they used advanced tactics to overwhelm his army.

What was "The General Will"?

Rousseau's idea that we should give up our personal desires to prioritize what is best for society as a whole. Obeying the laws that they have created means that we actually remain free.

What was "The Social Contract"?

An agreement between the members of a society to give up certain freedoms to become more free and become a better society as a whole. Pioneered by Hobbes and Rousseau, in totally different ways

What was The Declaration of the Rights of Man?

Gave people basic rights, such as liberty, and inspired the French Constitution. Revolutionary document that gave rights to all citizens, even the poorest classes.

Why was "No Taxation Without Representation" important in both revolutions?

In the Americas, the colonists paid taxes to Britain with no say on what was happening, and the 3rd estate of the French paid taxes most couldn't vote, Louis XIV had the power.

What did Montesquieu help pioneer?

The branches of government; checks and balances

What is Laissez Faire economics and who was it pioneered by?

An early form of free market economics, basically saying let the economy run its course with little government interference. Pioneered by Adam Smith.

What were Thomas Jefferson's thoughts on human nature, his enlightenment philosophies, and his impact on today?

He believed that people are inherently good, but can become bad or good. He also believed that people could choose to put good people in office (voting). His philosophies stated that we should all have rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He also stated that all men are created equal and created the bill of rights. His lasting impact was to create the US constitution and inspire other countries to also create similar constitutions.

What were John Locke's thoughts on human nature, his enlightenment philosophies, and his impact on today?

He believed in the "blank slate," which basically states that we are all born neutral. Wrote "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" and "The Second Treatise of Government." Believed in empiricism, which stated that the ideas that humans have are only from experiences and not in us since birth. He was a pioneer of liberalism, the idea that everyone is created equal, and that if we do not like our government we have the right to revolt. He argued to get a system to be able to school children. He also advocated for religious tolerance. Very many of his ideas are now in the constitutions around the world, we have an education system, religious tolerance, etc...

What were Voltaire's thoughts on human nature, his enlightenment philosophies, and his impact on today?

He believed in the "Blank Slate" theory. He argued for religious tolerance and fully believed in the importance of reason. Additionally, he believed in Deism, which is basically a belief that God created us and then was like, "Bye, loser!" His legacy was to increase religious tolerance and to decrease the power of the church.

What were Rousseau's thoughts on human nature, his enlightenment philosophies, and his impact on today?

Rousseau believed that we were all born good and that society corrupts us. He is well known for his belief that we should all partake in the general will, which is to prioritize the needs of the group above ourselves. He argued for minimal government control. Rousseau's most famous book was "The Social Contract" (See definition elsewhere in set). He helped to set the stage for the constitution by prioritizing people's rights and the dangers of an overly authoritarian government.

What were Mary Wollstonecraft's thoughts on human nature, her enlightenment philosophies, and her impact on today?

She believed in the Blank Slate. She argued that women are equal to men in their ability to reason and improve. She challenged sexist church teachings and wrote "A Vindication of the Rights of Women." Her biggest impact was to advocate for women's rights, which eventually led to movements and reforms that we can see today.

What were Adam Smith's thoughts on human nature, his enlightenment philosophies, and his impact on today?

Adam Smith believed in the Blank Slate. He wrote "Theory of Moral Sentiments" and "Wealth of Nations." He also believed that we are inherently selfish. He is considered "The Father of Capitalism," and believed in Laissez Faire economics, or a limited role of government in the economy. This basically went fully against mercantilism. His impact was to make capitalism the world's main economic structure, and also contributed to the specialization of labor.

What were Baron de Montesquieu's thoughts on human nature, his enlightenment philosophies, and his impact on today?

His famous quote was "The less men think the more they talk." He wrote "The Spirit of the Laws." He believed that humans are innately fearful, evil and selfish. He pioneered the 3 branches of government, and also the idea of checks and balances. He argued for the people to have power and the separation of church and state. Those ideas have been important to our world today.

What is absolutism?

Unchecked power of the monarchies, one person has power over an entire country.

What was the importance of reason in the enlightenment?

During the renaissance and scientific revolution, people began to believe in the power of reason. They could find answers about the universe on their own, not just through the church and their rulers. Also, people began to value human experience over what their absolutist leaders told them.

What was the Navigation Act?

An act that said colonists could ONLY trade with England.

What was the French Indian war?

Really a war between the British and the French+Indians. Over the settlers taking land more westward; cost a lot of money.

How did the French Indian war lead to the revolution?

Britain heavily taxed the colonists on the basis of paying for the war. "No taxation without representation."

When and where was war officially declared on Britain?

In 1775, Lexington & Concord Mass.

What was the "shot heard around the world?"

The first shot that was fired, it was the first enlightenment revolution of many, the rest of the world basically followed suit.

Why did other countries aid the colonists in the war?

To weaken Britain and for future good will and trade with the Americans.

Who pioneered federal and state governments?

Thomas Jefferson.

How many Natural Rights does the Bill of Rights include?

10

Name the three classes of France, the percentage of the population, and who was in them.

1st estate: the clergies, religious people. 1%. 2nd estate: the nobility, 1%. 3rd estate: bourgeoisie, peasants, working class, 98%

How much land did each of the classes own?

1st estate: 10%; 2nd estate: 80%; 3rd estate: 10%

Who paid taxes in France?

Only the poorest estate, the third estate

What is tenant farming?

When people lease or rent their land to peasants who would farm it and give back a certain % of their harvest.

Could you move social classes in France?

No, it was hereditary.

What was the hierarchy within the 3rd estate?

First: Bourgeoise, earned money, sometimes owned land. Second: Peasants, tenant farmers, rural. Third: Working Class, worked in the city, manual labor for the nobles such as butlers and servants.

Why were people upset in pre-revolutionary France?

You couldn't "climb the social ladder," only the poorer people paid taxes and they got no representation, very uneven land distribution.

What was on the rise and decline in pre-revolution France?

Class resentment between the third estate toward the first and second estate was on the rise. Also enlightenment ideas of democracy and revolution were on the rise. France has a severe economic downturn due to deficit spending, famine, COLA increasing etc....

Why are taxes in France increased pre-revolution?

To pay for the deficit and the involvement in many overseas wars. They also reduced social programs for the French people.

What was the Estates General?

A group of around 1000 that was meant to represent the people so that the king could subdue the unrest. However, the makeup was unfair because 66% of the E.G. represented only 2% of the population. Peasants and working class not represented at all.

What was the National Assembly?

Created in 1789, an illegal group that was created to actually represent the third estate. They break away from the Estates General.

What was The Oath of the Tennis Court?

An illegal, secret meeting at a tennis court to make a change in France that benefits the 3rd estate. They swear to make a new French constitution.

What was the triggering event of the French Revolution?

On July 14, 1789, the lowest class stormed the Bastille and made Bastille day. It was a prison/armory that represented the monarchy. Violence begins.

What was the Great Fear?

A fear among the city people (mostly 2nd estate) that jobless peasants were breaking into stores and house and robbing them. People were afraid of their safety. Chaos shakes Paris. Causes Louis and Marie to flee to Versailles under the protection of guards.

What was the effect of Louis and Marie fleeing?

Sign that they're all on their own, the King and Queen are basically worthless. Seen as cowardly abandonment. Frustration increases.

What happens after the King and Queen flee?

The National Assembly abolished feudalism (the estates). Creates Declaration of the Rights of Man, which was a declaration of all of the citizen's natural rights. Equality of all citizens under the law. Grants freedom of religion.

Why can the national assembly illegally make the declaration of rights of man?

98% of population are sided with them, the King and Queen are gone

What happens when Marie and Louis are caught trying to flee?

They are captured by citizens and brought back to Paris and put in prison. Become a puppet government. They can no longer stop the Nat'l assembly.

Who does France go to war with during the second stage?

They go to war with Prussia and Austria, there are many people that try to weaken the power of France. Their borders are slowly eaten away, many people killed in battle. Marie Antoinette is questioned if she's loyal to Austria (where she is from) or France.

When is Robespierre executed? What happens?

He was executed in 1794. This leaves a power vacuum, because Pierre had consolidated power, and he was suddenly gone.

How does Napoleon come into power?

He took power in a military coup in 1799.

Was Napoleon a good leader for France?

In the beginning, yes. He was strong and stabilizing for the country.

Give a short biography of Napolean Bonaparte.

Born as a noble in Corsica. Attend a military academy. Lieutenant in the army at the beginning of revolution, quickly rises ranks.

What ancient civilization and person did Napolean try to emulate?

He tried to emulate Ancient Rome and Julius Caesar, created a consulate, became 1st consulate then consul for life in 1802.

When was Napolean Bonaparte named Emperor of France?

1804. He takes the crown from the pope and places it on himself. Realigns with the church.

What was the one house called in the Napoleonic code?

The plebiscite

Why was Napoleon unable to conquer Britain?

They had naval superiority, while France controlled European land.

Why did Napoleon want to conquer Egypt?

To disrupt British trade routes, and to be able to feed his ego by saying he had conquered Egypt.

how was the Enlightenment influenced by the Renaissance

The Enlightenment was sparked by the Scientific Revolution’s emphasis on reasoning and testing things out to come to conclusions

What were Enlightenment thinkers trying to figure out?

• What Enlightenment thinkers were trying to figure out were natural laws-- unchanging laws that governed human life
  They wanted to study human behavior and solve problems of society

• Like the Renaissance placed a new emphasis on secularism and individual achievement, the Sci Rev and Enlightenment focused on science & natural laws, rather than religious authority 

What were people in the Enlightenment against?

• They were against absolutism and wanted democracy and individual rights

Thomas Hobbes

• 1651, wrote book called Leviathan, which talked about human nature being naturally cruel, selfish, and greedy

• If people were not controlled, then there would be a lot of violence and robbery

• To avoid this, he came up with the idea of a social contract-- an agreement by which people give up their freedom for an organized society

• He believed that an extremely powerful government was necessary to control men and ensure an orderly society 

• He therefore supported the idea of an absolute monarchy

John Locke:

• Optimistic view of human nature

• Believed that people were naturally reasonable and moral

• This meant that they all had natural rights-- rights that belonged to all people from birth (life, liberty, and property)

• Wrote Two Treatises of government, where Locke argued that people should form governments that protect their natural rights

• Said that the best kind of government listened to the people, had limited power, and was accepted by everyone. He was against the absolute monarchy that Hobbes supported

• He proposed a government that had the obligation to protect people’s natural rights, and if they can’t do this, then the people have a right to overthrow the government

• Similarly, Locke supported the overthrow of James II in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 because he violated the English people’s rights

• Locke’s idea on this government significantly contributed to the idea of a democracy and many of his ideas are written in the Declaration of Independence in the US, adopted by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison

Baron de Montesquieu

• Studied many governments from Europe, including Italy and England

• Learned about ancient/medieval Europe, and studied Chinese and Native American culture

• Published The Spirit of the Laws in 1748, where he discussed governments throughout history

• Came up with the idea of dividing government into 3 branches, legislative, executive, and judicial

• One branch of government also has the ability to limit the other two, known as checks and balances

• Had impact in US constitution

Voltaire:

• Targeted corrupt officials and idle aristocrats (the highest class in a society, usually holding a hereditary title like the king)

• Battled inequality, injustice, and superstition

• Against the slave trade and religious prejudice

• Many of his ideas offended the French government and the Catholic church, and he was imprisoned and forced into exile

• Despite his books being outlawed and burned, he continued to defend the principles of freedom of speech

Denis Diderot

• Worked for 4 years to produce a 28 volume set of books called the Encyclopedia, published in 1789 

• Purpose was to change the general way of thinking, by explaining ideas on topics such as government, philosophy, and religion

• Included articles of leading thinkers of the day, such as Montesquieu and Voltaire

• Philosophes denounced slavery, praised freedom of expression and education for all

• Attacked divine right theory and traditional religions

• French Government viewed as an attack on public morals, and Roman Catholic people who read it were threatened to be excommunicated 

• More than 4000 copies were printed between 1751 and 1789

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Believed human nature was naturally good

• Natural innocence was corrupted by society, esp unequal distribution of property 

• Published his ideas in The Social Contract in 1762, which stated that society placed too many limitations on people’s behavior

• Believed that control was necessary, but should be minimal

• The only government that is able to implement these controls should be elected by the people

• Believed in “general will” or the best conscience of the people

• “The good of the community as a whole should be placed above individual interests”

• Very against any type of oppressive government

What were women’s role in the Enlightenment

• Women were extremely limited during this era, and the slogan “free and equal” did not seem to apply to them

• Their only rights were related to their home and family

• In the late 1700s, a small group of women began to protests for their rights, including

important women leaders

• Germaine de Stael (France) and Mary Wollstonencraft (England)

• Wollstonecraft accepted that a women’s first duty was to be a good mother, but that she should be able to decide what was in her own interest

• She wrote a book, called A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, where she pressed for equal education of girls and boys

• Says that education was crucial to give women the tools needed to participate equally with men in society 

• Significantly influenced women’s rights movements for the next century

Views on slavery

• Most enlightenment thinkers attributed their ideas of equality for all and natural rights to only white men

• For example, Montesquieu did not support slavery, but said that the enslavement of Africans was acceptable, and Kant had similar views

• Diderot was very against slavery, saying that it violated all rights of human nature

Physiocrats

basing thinking on natural laws. Claimed that their rational economic system was based on natural laws of economics

Laissez-Faire Economics

policy that allows businesses to operate with little to no government interference.

Adam Smith:

• Wrote The Wealth of the Nations, in it arguing that the free market (natural forces of supply and demand) should be allowed to operate and regulate business

• Favored free enterprise system, in which commerce and business should have little to no government interference

• Came up with idea of supply and demand, saying that whenever there was a demand for goods or services, suppliers would try to meet that demand so they could make profit

• Strong supporter of Laissez-Faire economics 

• Felt that government still had the duty to protect society, administer justice, and provide publics works

• Smith’s ideas shaped productive economies in 1800s and 1900s

How did government and church officials react to these new ideas?

• Government and church officials felt like they had the duty to protect and defend the old order, believing that God had set this up

• They began to use censorship, or restricting access to ideas/information that all these philosophes were providing. Through this, they banned/burned books, and imprisoned writers

How did philosophes avoid censorship?

• To avoid this censorship, writers like Montesquie and Voltaire disguised their ideas in works of fiction

• In the Persian Letters by Montesquieu, he used fictional Persian traveler characters to mock French society

• Voltaire’s novel, Candide, had a character who travelled to America and the Middle East and discovered the best of all possible words, exposing the corruption and hypocrisy of European society

• Jonathon Swift published Gulliver’s travels in 1726, using fantasy to make fun of English political life

role of salons in Enlightenment

• People would often discuss ideas of philosophy, literature, art, and science in salons (which were informational social gatherings)

• Middle class citizens met with nobles to discuss Enlightenment ideas

• Madame Geoffrin ran one of the most respected salons, including the brightest and most talented people

• Diderot was a regular at her weekly dinners for philosophers and poets

• Motzart often played for her guests

Architecture in the enlightenment

• There was a new style being introduced, known as baroque

• Baroque paintings were huge, colorful, and exciting, displaying historical battles or the lives of saints

• Rococo art was also introduced, which was lighter, more personal, elegant, and charming. Featured delicate shells and flowers, and more pastel colors were used. Popular with upper and middle class