unit 5 the enlightenment & revolutions

define the enlightenment

Intellectual movement applying new ways of thinking (ex. rationalism, empiricism) to the natural world and societies. ideological framework for political upheavals (revolutions)

define rationalism and empiricism

empiricism: knowledge comes from the senses
rationalism: reason is the most reliable form of knowledge

explain how the enlightenment was an extension of previous movements

enlightenment ways of thinking developed earlier in the scientific revolution ( in europe) scientists tossed religious authority in favor of rationality. enlightenment thinkers applied these new ideas into societies.

what was the most significant change in societies following the enlightenment movement

the reexamination of the role of religion in public life, contrasting to how it had always been seen in European society; Christianity as a revealed religion (could not be questioned), creating the shift of authority from outside an individual to inside the individual

What new belief systems formed as an effect of the enlightenment?

deism- idea that god created the world but no longer interfered with it
atheism- the complete rejection of authority

what were specfic political ideas that the enlightenment promoted?

individualism: the belief in the basis of society being the individual, not a group of people
natural rights: people are born with natural rights such as life, liberty, and property. ex. john locke explains that people are entitled to these rights and that the government's role is to protect them.
social contract: individuals should construct governments that protect their natural rights

what were the main effects of enlightenment ideas?

1. ideological context for revolutions

2. expansion of sufferage, particularly womens sufferage through various feminist movements, such as the Seneca falls convention and the declaration of the rights of women and the female citizen written by olympe de gouges.

3. the abolition of slavery in some places (Jamaican revolt played significant role in Britains descision to end slavery

4. the end of serfdom in some places (influenced by the transition of agrarian economies to industrial ones)

explain causes of revolutions during this time period

1. the rise of nationalism
   states used nationalistic fervor to gather a sense of unity among their people, such as implementing nationalist themes in schools, public rituals that glorified the nation, and pushing people into military service.
   example: russian leaders required their language to be spoken all throughout the empire, but was met with retaliation in an (anti-nationalist) movement in areas such as poland, ukraine, and finland.

2. widespread discontent with imeperial rule and monarchies. displayed in safavid empire, in when they implemented harsh new taxes were met with retaliation from militaristic nomadic groups from the outskirts of the empire, effectively weakening the state

3. enlightenment ideas such as popular sovreignty (governing lays in the hands of the people), democracy (people having the right to vote and influence the government) and liberalism (emphasizing the protection of natural rights, allowing a representative government, and economic freedom.

major revolutions

1. american revolution

   enlightenment principles on full display

2. french revolution

   overthrew king louis XVI declaration of the rights of the man and citizen

3. haitian revolution

   most prosperous colony of france, revolution led by toussaint louverture, became first black government

4. latin american independence movements

   spanish and portuguese colonies influenced by enlightement ideas, especially present in creole class, Napoleons invasion of Spain and the replacement of the Spanish monarch created an unstable political climate perfect for the occasion of revolution, and under the leadership of Simon bolivar they got independence. enlightenment ideals on full display in letter from Jamaica

explain other nationalist movements emerging during this time.

the propaganda movement in the philipines colony of Spain demonstrated a push for reform and greater autonomy seen in educated philopino students who absorbed enlightenment ideologies from Europe, leading to the eventual revolution.
Nationalism played a major role in the unification of Italy and Germany

explain general effects of the industrial revolution

reordered societies, changed the balance of political power, and made industrialized nations rich