Detailed Notes on the European Enlightenment (1750-1900)

Introduction to the European Enlightenment

  • Timeframe: Period 3 (1750 CE - 1900 CE)
  • Significance: A movement that questioned traditional authority, impacting revolutions in the Atlantic world.

Learning Objectives

  • Objective A: Explain the context of revolutions in the Atlantic world.
  • Objective B: Discuss the effects of the Enlightenment on society over time.
  • Objective C: Describe the causes and effects of various revolutions from 1750 to 1900.

The Role of Religion and Authority

  • Prior to the Enlightenment, religion was often seen as the central authority in Europe.
  • 18th-century thinkers began questioning the divine right of kings and the class system based solely on birth.
  • The Scientific Revolution introduced a focus on Reason and rationality, impacting human institutions.

Key Enlightenment Thinkers

  • John Locke (English)

    • Critiqued the corrupt use of power by monarchs.
    • Introduced the concepts of natural rights (life, liberty, property) and consent of the governed.
    • Advocated for constitutionalism to limit state power.

  • Baron de Montesquieu (French)

    • Proposed the separation of powers doctrine: the state powers should be divided into three branches:
    • Legislative (makes laws)
    • Executive (enforces laws)
    • Judicial (interprets laws)
    • Aimed to prevent tyranny by distributing power.

  • Voltaire (French Philosophe)

    • Critiqued state religion, advocating for religious freedom and criticizing intolerance and conflicts driven by enforced beliefs.

  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau (French)

    • Advocated for the general will; believed collective desires should govern but controversially argued against individual rights if they oppose the 'will'.

Spread and Influence of Enlightenment Ideas

  • Despite initial oppression, Enlightenment ideals spread through Europe and the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries, fueling revolutionary movements.
  • Notable Revolutions:
    • American Revolution (1776-1783): Colonists overthrew British authority leading to the establishment of a constitutional republic.
    • French Revolution (1789-1799): The French populace overthrew monarchy and nobility, establishing a democracy focused on people's law-making rights.
    • Latin American Revolutions (19th Century): Creole leaders led uprisings that ended colonial rule, creating national identities across Latin America.

Conclusion

  • The Enlightenment was pivotal in reshaping political, social, and individual rights discussions, laying the groundwork for modern democracies and revolutions across continents.
  • Understanding the thinkers and their ideologies helps contextualize the subsequent major revolutions and their enduring influence on contemporary society.