The ENLIGHTENMENT, Explained [AP Euro Review—Unit 4 Topic 3]

Summary

This video delves into the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual movement in 18th-century Europe that applied scientific reasoning to social and political structures. Key figures like Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau championed ideas such as rationalism, the separation of powers, and the social contract. Enlightenment thinkers also critiqued traditional institutions, advocating for individual rights and progress in society. The video explores these ideas alongside key economic theories by Adam Smith and critiques of religious institutions. The influence of Enlightenment thought, from politics to economics, left a lasting impact on Western society, sparking debates on government, religion, and human rights.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 18th century that applied scientific reasoning to social and human institutions.
• 😀 Enlightenment thinkers believed that the scientific methods used by figures like Galileo and Newton could be applied to improve society.
• 😀 The main ideas of the Enlightenment focused on rationalism, the use of reason to solve societal problems, and the belief in progress.
• 😀 Montesquieu argued that to prevent tyranny, government power should be separated into different branches, a concept that influenced modern political systems.
• 😀 Voltaire was a prominent critic of religious intolerance and advocated for religious freedom, although he supported a tempered form of absolutism.
• 😀 Diderot’s *Encyclopédie* spread Enlightenment ideas, offering 72,000 articles on various topics, shaping how people thought about the world.
• 😀 John Locke introduced the concept of natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and argued these rights could not be taken away by a monarch.
• 😀 Rousseau's *The Social Contract* argued that governance should be based on the people's consent, and that if the government became tyrannical, the people had the right to overthrow it.
• 😀 Adam Smith criticized mercantilism and promoted the idea of a free market economy governed by the laws of supply and demand, laying the foundation for modern capitalism.
• 😀 The Enlightenment led to a shift in religious and metaphysical beliefs, with figures like Voltaire popularizing deism, and others like David Hume developing skepticism and atheism.

Q & A

What was the core idea of the Enlightenment movement?

The Enlightenment was a European intellectual movement in the 18th century that applied new methods of rational thinking to social and human institutions. It emphasized reason, scientific observation, and the belief that these methods could improve society, understand human nature, and lead to progress.

How did the scientific method influence the Enlightenment thinkers?

Enlightenment thinkers believed that just as the scientific method helped discover the laws of nature, it could also be applied to discover the laws of society and improve human institutions. They saw reason and observation as tools to advance both scientific knowledge and social progress.

What role did French philosophes play in the Enlightenment?

The French philosophes were central to the spread of Enlightenment ideas, especially in France, which was at the heart of the movement. These thinkers, such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Diderot, challenged traditional institutions and ideas, advocating for reforms in government, religion, and society.

What was Montesquieu's contribution to political thought?

Montesquieu's major contribution was the idea of the separation of powers in government, outlined in his work 'The Spirit of the Laws.' He argued that dividing government into branches that could check each other's power was essential to avoid tyranny and promote equality.

Why was Voltaire critical of religious intolerance?

Voltaire criticized religious intolerance because he observed that religious conflict and oppression were prevalent in France, where Catholicism was enforced by the state. He admired England's religious diversity, where multiple religions coexisted peacefully, and believed that tolerance should be a cornerstone of society.

What was the significance of Diderot's 'Encyclopedia'?

Diderot's 'Encyclopedia' was a massive collaborative work that aimed to compile and spread Enlightenment knowledge across various fields. It contained over 72,000 articles, helping to shape how people thought about science, philosophy, and society, and played a significant role in disseminating Enlightenment ideas.

How did Enlightenment thinkers influence the idea of government?

Enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Rousseau introduced the concept of natural rights and the social contract. They argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and must protect people's rights. If a government becomes tyrannical, it is the right and responsibility of the people to replace it.

What is the social contract theory, and how did Rousseau contribute to it?

The social contract theory holds that people give up some of their natural freedoms in exchange for protection and order provided by government. Rousseau argued that legitimate government power comes from the people’s consent, and if the government violates this, people have the right to overthrow it. He expressed these ideas in his work 'The Social Contract.'

What was John Locke's view on natural rights?

John Locke believed that all people are born with certain natural rights to life, liberty, and property, granted by the Creator. These rights are inalienable and cannot be taken away by any government, challenging the absolute power of monarchs during that era.

How did Adam Smith’s economic ideas differ from mercantilism?

Adam Smith criticized mercantilism, which focused on state control of the economy, and argued for a free-market system. In his work 'The Wealth of Nations,' he proposed that economic decisions should be made based on supply and demand, with minimal government interference, which became the foundation for modern capitalism.