Modern World History - Enlightenment

Philosophe

French for philosopher. Applied to all intellectuals during the Enlightenment.

Seperation of Powers

A form of government in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches limit and control each other through a system of checks and balances

Deism

An eighteenth-century religious philosophy based on reason and natural law

Laissez - Faire

To let people do what they want. The concept that the state should not impose government regulations but should leave the economy alone

Social Contract

The concept that an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will and all individuals should be forced to abide by it since it represents what is best for the entire community

Salons

The elegant urban drawing room where, in the eighteenth century, writers, artists, aristocrats, government officials, and wealthy middle-class people gathered to discuss the ideas of the philosophes

Rococo

An artistic style that replaced baroque in the 1730s; it was highly secular, emphasizing grace, charm, and gentle action

What did John Locke believe about how people were born? 

He believed that every person was born with a tabula rasa, or black mind. His ideas suggested that were made from experiences that came through senses from the surrounding world.

What effect did Locke's ideas have on other philosophers? 

The effect of his ideas on other philosophers was that they believed that is the environment changed and people were exposed to the right influences, then they could create a new, better society.

What is religious toleration?

The religious toleration is God being the creater of the universe and it not being affected by Voltaire's interference and it would run by its own natural laws.

What does it mean that there was religious intolerance in France?

This means that there was only one religion in France.

What was Voltaire's belief about God?

He believed God was the creater of everything. He had a strong belief in religion toleration, fighting against religious intolerance in France. God had created the universe. "God the clock maker has made the universe because the universe is like a clock."

Why was Diderot's contribution important to the Enlightenment?

His contribution changed the general way of thinking. It spread ideas and it supported religion toleration.

What did Mary Wollstonecraft say about men's rule in society?

Many see her as the founder of modern European and American movements for women's rights. men's position of power in society was unfair and harmful to everyone, including men themselves. Enlightenment based on ideal reason in all human beings. They are entitled to the same rights as men. Women should have equal as men.

How did Enlightenment ideas influnce society and culture today? 

The Enlightenment ideas influence society and culture today because it allows people curiosity of new subjects to learn more about life, the universe, and everything. People practice different religions leading to their beings so many different cultures around the world.

How were the coffee houses of the eighteenth century similar to the online social networks of today?

The coffee houses of the eighteenth century similar to the online social networks of today because both are places for people to gather and exchange information.

Frederick II

One of the best educated monarchs of all time in Europe.  Well versed in enlightenment ideas and was a dedicated ruler. Abolished use of torture except in treason and murder. He also granted limited freedom of speech and press. Also greater religious intolerance. He maintained a high efficient bureacuracy of civil war workers. He increased the army. He had a rigid social structure.

Joseph II

He believed the need  to sweep anything that does not reason with the path. Abolished serfdom and eliminated death penalty. principle of equality of all before the law and enchanted religious reforms, including religious toleration. Too many charges and reforms. His successors undid most of his reforms. Equality of all within the law. All of this failed. People turned against him and he got kicked out of leadership.

Catherine II

She ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796. She considered the idea is a new law code that would make everyone an equal in the eye of the law.

Define the Age of Enlightenment and explain what major movement caused this shift in thought.

The age of Enlightenment was a cultural and intellectual movement in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries that focused on the topics science, reason, progress over tradition, authority, religion, and individual rights. The major movement that caused this shift in thought was the scientific revolution.

Identify at least two key historical figures during the Enlightenment and briefly describe their philophies

John Locke believed people were born with natural rights. His idea of the social contract was the government exists to protect natural rights, but if they fail to do so, the people can overthrow them.

Rousseau belived that people are naturally good but can be changed bu soceity. He wrote “The Social Contract” and his side of it was the people participate in making laws and the government is based off people’s general will.

Explain one enlightened ruler and explain how they used enlightenment ideals.

Catherine II ruled Russia with the idea that there should be a new law code that would make everyone an equal in the eyes of the law. This is an enlightenment idea because it’s based off the idea of equality.