History of The Enlightenment Period - Philosophers, Revolutions PDF

## The Enlightenment Period Intellectual revolutions occur as people discover new ideas and explore new inventions. Revolutions in France were the reactions to absolute monarchs. French monarchs made the people pay heavy taxes to pay for their own lavish lifestyles. The people collected informat...

## The Enlightenment Period Intellectual revolutions occur as people discover new ideas and explore new inventions. Revolutions in France were the reactions to absolute monarchs. French monarchs made the people pay heavy taxes to pay for their own lavish lifestyles. The people collected information or data and printed books called encyclopedias. Enlightened philosophers were called philosophes. Philosophes met in private homes called salons. These philosophes also developed new religions. **Deists** believe they can prove the existence of god by using facts and science. By using samples of nature that god was alive. John Wesley started the Methodist religion. ### Key Philosophers: **A. John Locke** was an English philosophe. 1. He wrote the *Second Treatise on Civil Government.* 2. He believed the government only existed through a social contract with the people. 3. The people could withdraw consent and establish a new government if the contract was broken. **B. Baron de Montesquieu** wrote *Spirit of Laws* which demonstrates democratic government. 1. New governments would be run by a system of checks and balances. 2. Would prevent one branch from becoming too powerful and allow the peoples wishes to be heard. a. Executive enforce b. Legislative write. c. Judicial interpret **C. Jean Jacques Rousseau** 1. He believed in Locke's theory of a **social contract between the people and the government.** 2. He wrote a book called Emile which said that children should be allowed the freedom to develop their natural talents. 3. He believed people would be happier if they lived closer to nature. 4. Rousseau's theories were rejected by the French monarchs. **D. Adam Smith** 1. A Scottish professor in Edinburg 2. Wrote "The wealth of nations" a. The wealth of a nation could be found in its people and the products it produced. b. Believed government should stay out of industry in the principal *Laisse-faire* c. The government would benefit from taxes and the people would benefit from trade and prices **3. Voltaire** a. Believed in freedom of thought and religion b. Lived in France, Russia, and Prussia (Germany) ## Results of the Enlightenment Period 1. Enlightenment period ended with the French Revolution where it transformed into the Romantic Period. 2. Some of the monarchs became enlightened monarchs and granted more freedom. 3. Many countries will start a legislative body in their government. 4. The intellectual revolution will start the industrial revolution, the American revolution, the Latin American revolution, and the French revolution.