Unit 5 The Enlightenment and the 18th Century
Objectives:
1. To be able to understand the question between the scientific
developments and the philosophy of the Enlightenment
2. To be able to see the impact of the new philosophy on the social
and political movements of the 18th century
3. To be able to trace the political, economic, and philosophical
trends in the background of the French Revolution
Needs William Hogarths prostitution and Gin Art PP –Imperial maps England – France Austrian Russian Poland Prussian Ottoman- Candide
The Enlightenment
Built upon the ideas of the scientific revolution sought intellectual freedom and the use of reason to insure progress – it stressed above all else education of the population social science was born. The philosophes of the enlightenment as individuals were not revolutionaries their writings and ides however were. Most were Deists or atheists. The monarchies were headed for social cultural economical and political change.
It would begin in Paris thus making French the language of the courts of Western Europe.
Three stages – 1st first half of the 18th century influenced heavily by the scientific revolution
2nd or High Enlightenment Political enlightenment
3rd Emotion passion and Economics
The Ideas
Challenged the most fundamental traditions, beliefs and institutions of Europe. From nature-mankind-society-government- economics – freedom of man all of the philosophes were opposed to slavery. They openly challenged established religion and the Church and wanted governments to be secular and of the people.
Three individuals linked the scientific revolution to the enlightenment – Bernard de Fontenelle, John Locke and Georges-Louis Baffon
Fontenelle 1657-1757 1 month before 100 He was able to write the concepts and thoughts of the scientific revolutions in terms that he lay man could understand his most famous writing and that which bridged the scientific revolution to the Enlightenment and the intellectual revolution was The Plurality of World
Locke 1632-1704 philosophy is a science that should be tested with the scientific method and the burden of proof. The scientific method could be used to study society and government. All humans are born tabula rasa Blank Slate and knowledge is gained through the senses on an individual basis he also rejected the idea of original sin society should be based on secular law and that all people are born with the right to life liberty and property. Rulers and the public should live under a social contract give up some liberty to be governed (unlike Hobbs) Locke became the leader for education reform –freedom of the press religious toleration and separation of political powers hews an Englishmen. Thought women were not treated well and came short of wanting women’s equality they should defer to men but be in a marriage contract.
Baffon 1707-1788
French linked the scientific revolution to enlightenment through his experiments and studies at the French Royal Academy of Science. From gardening to the study of birds to metallurgical advances.
Montesquieu 1689-1755 Charles-Louis de Secondat Bordeaux France. One of the few to make a living off of his writings and speeches. 1721 Persian Letters written as a travelogue to keep him out of prison and in favor with the court – it is a critique of the monarchy and culture of France. In it he makes an enemy of the Catholic when he refers to the Pope as a magician. He did not believe in Empires and rejected the idea of slavery. 1748 he wrote The Spirit of the Laws he wrote of climate religion and tradition and the shaping of a government and political life of a nation – commentary on English Civil War and the use of a parliament to maintain a nation he concluded that a constitution that separated powers of government(Locke) with the use of Checks and Balances between a monarch and a parliament with judiciary was the key to a nations success. The rights and power of a king did not come from god but from the people.
Voltaire Francois-Marie Arouet 1694-1778. Parents wanted him to be a lawyer he wanted to be a writer he was educated by Jesuits. Some of his writings were banned in France all of his writings were banned in Spain. Liked the new British government and agreed with Montesquieu on a separation of power. They differed in that the Voltaire was suppose to protect the people from the nobles were as Montesquieu faith in the nobles.
1764 wrote The Philosophical Dictionary which attacked the Catholic Church which he referred to a “the Horrible Thing” He believed God created the Universe and then left (deist)
1759 Candide attack on superstition, fantasy confronts the conflict of the goodness of god and the evils of the real world – He concludes that religion is a good thing for the masses as it gives them hope it also provides order. Voltaire wrote if god did not exist then we would have to invent one – to maintain society. In 1764 Voltaire predicted the revolutions to come and inevitable acts of the nature of free men.
“Lucky are the Young For they Will See Great Things”
Diderot 1713-1784
He too was educated by Jesuits and became atheists. He was a Jack-of-all-trades and compiler of the Encyclopedia 1751. It was a collection of over 60,000 articles and 28 volumes written by Enlighten thinkers and writers and took 25 years to compile. The goal was to educate the masses and get information to them in the vernacular. Advance sales covered the publishing cost and the book had global sales Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson had a copy as did Louis XVI and Catherine the Great. The book also created massive smuggling and “bootleg” copies from smaller cheaper printing presses – what was once a luxury item for the rich (books) now found its way in cheap paperback form to the middle sorts throughout Europe. The book was censored and banned in several countries as it openly attacked the monarchies, the Catholic Church and established religion all of witch in the eyes of he philosophes limited the natural freedoms of mankind.
Rousseau 1712-1778 (the flower child) loved human freedom but stressed emotions, instinct and spontaneity of the human mind. A protestant from Geneva wanted to be a composer became a writer.
1750 Discourse on the Arts and Sciences wrote that civilization is what as corrupted the natural goodness of man. Property causes greed evil and wealth. Like the primitive society where all were dependent on each other.
1762 Social Contract a democratic theory of sovereignty. The relationship between ruler and people is a contract for a set period of time.
Same year he wrote Emile what he considered the ideal natural secular education a child learns when it wants to through its experience with nature and life. Voltaire red his work and openly criticized it saying it relied to much on being primitive and did not take into account that man was above animals.
Women
Most philosophes agreed that the status of women would change and that they were and could be equal to men –however most never pursued any farther than in writings. Mary Astell argued that women should become better educated and that they could learn as much as men – Mary Wollstonecraft the founder of the women’s movement in the west wrote Vindication of the Rights of Woman 1792- women are by nature entitled to the same rights as men if kings cannot subjugate the population husbands can not subjugate wives.
Enlightenment in Religion
1690’s Pietism dissatisfied with organized established religion wanted the average person to take an active role in religion and daily religious life. Bible readings and discussion groups were formed – Catholic Church did not like this as the believed only a priest could red you the bible. Strongest in England – while theAnglican church was the church ofEngland there were ½ million non Anglicans freely living there. There were 70,000 Catholics by 1770.
John Wesley 1703-1791 a true Anglican until his death would be called the founder of the Methodist faith (similar to Luther you remained Catholic) wanted to infuse ordinary people with religious enthusiasm. 100,000 followers. Stressed that all people were equal in gods eyes –appealed to the poor and middle class the elite of England did not buy into it. He was not politically or socially radical. He preached hard work- no dancing drinking or gambling.
It did force the Anglican Church to create Sunday School and charity to poor children.
Bishop of Petticoats Lady Hannah Moore gave up her riches to bring religion into the homes of the poor.
Despite changes in established religions by the 18th century countries that had a higher literacy rate and a stronger economy saw a drastic decline in religious participation of the population.
The philosophes who challenged the Church were writing to population that was already leaving it.
While the 18th century had religious peace – Intolerance was still everywhere –Catholics faced it in England –French Protestants had no legal rights-Cities in the Austrian Empire force removal of Protestants- Jews were not tolerated anywhere
By 1700 half the men in England France Netherlands and the German lands could read. Eastern Europe Russia and the Balkan States remind illiterate. Publisher grew 6 times there amount in Western Europe the printing guilds would end with a plethora of under ground printing presses and a complete smuggling ring was developed to bring in band books to countries.
Edward Gibbon 1737-1794 wrote The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire so well researched it is still red today.
Public libraries were created throughout Western Europe.
Art not censored but criticized
Rococo Style similar to baroque but in smaller scale – nature and daily life became the topic – art paintings began to tell tales of the social climate of the time.
Jean-Antoine Watteau 1684-1721
Moved art away from religion to secular daily life.
William Hogarth 1697-1764 satirical painter portrayed everday life in London (PP)
Music public concert halls were built in the capitols of Europe. At first great composers only played in the courts of Europe by the mid 1700’ they played publicly – George Fridric Handel 1685 -1759 and Franz Joseph Hayden 1732-1809 were the most popular.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1759-1791 a genius but could not hold down a patronage for support - played public concerts and spent his money as fast as he earned it. He died a poor man at 35 and buried in an unmarked paupers grave in Vienna – The Marriage of Figaro – Don Giovanni and the Magic Flute were his most famous
Jurisprudence
Cesare Bonesana Beccaria 1738-1794
1764 On Crimes and Punishment called for reform for prisoners and an end to torture and capitol punishment – punishment should fit the crime and secular based not religiously executed.
Wanted law reforms,-- easier to prevent crimes than it is to punish them
Spread of the Enlightenment
Literacy above all else.
Salons, Academies and Masonic Lodges.
Salons held in private homes for both noble and middle class (bourgeoisie) hosted mainly by women who chose the topics of readings and discussion. This would lay the foundation for the future women’s movements. Located in Paris, London, Berlin and Vienna. By being in private homes it avoided the police and allowed for censored topics to be discussed.
Academies very public and excluded women – minutes were read roll was taken and discussion was free – used by Monarchs to “keep and Ear to the Ground” and allowed the public to discuss the nature of daily life and what needed top change.
Masonic Lodges origins in 16th century Scotland for the guilds turned into a meeting place for free thinkers a secret society full of rituals and vows and had open option to established religion. At the time everyone knew who they were and what they did. Women had a place but it was beneath men in the Lodge. The shared a general faith in progress and toleration, for mankind.
Enlightened Absolute Rulers (Despots)
Tsarina Catherine the Great (a German) 1762-1796 finished what Peter the Great started. Became Tsarina by killing her husband Tsar Peter III grandson of Peter the Great. Envisioned a more powerful Russia by using western technology and finding a warm water port. She was highly educated and ruthless and preferred French to Russian culture and language. She allowed towns to be economically successful but have no say in politics viewed parliaments and democracy as a direct threat to her rule. Violently crushed a Cossack revolt lead by Emelian Pugachev.
Catherine expanded Russia giving it access to the Black Sea and agreed with Prussia and Austria to attack and divide up Poland (Would happen again in WWII) the clash of western education and Slavic tradition clashed culturally for her and the Russian people.
Joseph II Emperor of the Austrian empire 1741-1790 (co ruled with mom until 1780) got the throne from his mother, Maria Theresa who had to fight off most of Europe to keep it during the War of Austrian Succession.
Despite its mixed cultures, nationalities, languages and religions, the Empire became a powerhouse in the mid 18th century. Joseph II brought many of the enlightened ideas to Austria but not into politics.
To much to fast: a structured centralized school system primary – university, freed the serfs and gave them the rights to land marriage and skilled jobs, limited noble control over serfs/peasants, became tolerant of all religions, took power away from the Catholic church, freedom of the press, code of criminal laws, ended the death penalty, ended torture and laws equalized the population. This caused serious problems with the nobles the church and even the peasants who did not know what to do wit the freedom they were given revolted. Joseph II simply crushed the revolts and removed most of the rights he had granted – returned censorship and created a policed state and returned the peasants to serfdom.