Main Idea: A revolution in intellectual activity changed
Europeans’ view of gov't and society.
A.
View on Gov't
1.
Hobbes: people need a strong gov't to keep order—absolute
monarchy
a
Social contract
b
Leviathan
2.
Locke: people have a natural ability to govern themselves
a
Natural rights
b
Gov't protect those rights or be overthrown
c
Two Treaties on Government
d
Foundation of modern democracy
B.
Philosophes
1.
apply reason to all aspects of life
2.
Core of Philosophy—reason, nature, happiness, progress,
liberty
3.
Voltaire: fought intolerance through satirical writing
4.
Montesquieu: gov’ts power should be divided into different
branches; On the Spirit of Laws
5.
Rousseau: gov'ts should be formed through the agreement of
free individuals
6.
Beccaria: promoted criminal justice; On Crimes and
Punishments
1.
people have confidence that human reason can solve social
problems
2.
a more secular outlook emerges as scientific thinking
replaces superstition, fear, and intolerance
3.
individual becomes important as people use their own
ability to reason and judge
1.
philosophers, writers, artists, scientists gather regularly
to discuss new ideas
2.
Diderot: encyclopedia containing current ideas about
service, art, gov't
3.
Ideas spread to intellectuals and the middle class
throughout Europe
1.
Baroque: grand, ornate style
a
Johann Sebastian Bach—German composer
b
George Frederick Handel—English composer
c
Paintings: rich in color, detail, ornate imagery
2.
Classical Music: Vienna, Austria
a
Franz Joseph Haydn—sonata, symphony
b
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—operas, elegance & originality
c
Ludwig van Beethoven—piano, string quartets, stirring
symphonies; led to Age of Romanticism
3.
Novels: entertaining stories written in everyday English
that appeal to middle class
a
Richardson, Fielding (Tom Jones), Defoe (Robinson
Crusoe)
1.
Frederick the Great, Prussia: goal is to serve &
strengthen his country
2.
Joseph II, Austria: radical reforms; freedom of worship
& the end of serfdom
3.
Catherine the Great, Russia: limited reforms, later revoked