AP World History Unit 5 Revolutions

17th and 18th centuries - humankind in relation to government

Divine Right: church allied with strong monarchs, monarchs believed they were ordained by God to rule - people had moral/religious obligation too obey

• Question of ultimate authority

• Mandate of Heaven in China - had to rule justly to be appreciated in heaven

Social contract: governments not formed by divine decree, but to meet social and economic needs

Philosophers of the age:

1. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679): government should preserve peace/stability - all powerful rule who ruled heavy-handed

2. John Locke (1632-1704): men are all born equal, mankind is good and rational - primary role of government was to secure and guarantee natural rights and revolting is justified if not

3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778): all men are equal, society organized according to general will of people - government is protection by community and both being free

4. Voltaire (1694-1778): espoused idea of religious toleration

5. Montesquieu (1689-1775): separation of powers among branches of government

6. David Hume (1711-1776): lack of empirical evidence casts doubt on religion

7. Adam Smith (1723-1790): an “invisible hand” will regulate economy if it is left alone

8. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797): women should have political rights, including voting and holding office

9. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): knowledge exists beyond what is deduced from use of only observation or only reason

10. Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794): criminals retain some rights and state should not practice cruel punishment

Enlightened monarchs: utilized ideas of tolerance, jusice, improving quality of life

Neoclassical Period: middle of 18th century - imitated style of ancient Greek/Roman architecture