Absolute rule, characterized by the concentration of power in a single monarch, prompted Enlightenment philosophes to advocate for individual rights, reason, and the social contract. They critiqued the lack of personal freedoms and arbitrary governance, emphasizing the need for rational thought and empirical evidence in contrast to blind tradition. This environment of oppression inspired thinkers like john Locke and Montesquieu to propose ideas about democracy, separation of powers, and the importance of governing for the people’s welfare, ultimately laying the groundwork for modern democratic principles.
the political power that citizens held in their government
The Enlightenment ideas and principles were primarily accepted by the intellectual elite of Europe, including philosophers, writers, and scientists known as the "philosophes." This group advocated for reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, influencing various movements such as the American and French Revolutions. Additionally, the bourgeoisie, or middle class, embraced Enlightenment ideals, seeking social and political reforms that reflected these values.
Ideas from the Enlightenment thinkers ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
enlightened ideas such as the separation of powers, proposed by Montesquieu, freedoms and rights, democracy, trial by jury, no harsh or unusual punishment and citizen action John Locke was the philosophe who influenced the American Revolution the most.
What were 2 ideas from the Enlightenment that influenced the Declaration of Independence?
By listening to the philosophes ideas
By listening to the philosophes ideas
philosophes
that the ideas of the Enlightenment could help improve government and society
Government and church officials fought against Enlightenment ideas by censoring books and publications, banning certain works and ideas, and persecuting those who promoted Enlightenment ideals. They viewed these ideas as a threat to their authority and sought to maintain control over the population's beliefs and values.
In later years of Enlightenment, absolute monarchs in the several European countries adopted some ideas of Enlightenment political philosophers.
The intellectual and cultural movement known as the philosophes strongly embraced the ideals and principles of the Enlightenment. Philosophes were thinkers and writers who championed reason, science, individual rights, and progress as means to improve society. They played a significant role in spreading Enlightenment ideas throughout Europe in the 18th century.
During the Enlightenment, ideas circulated through salons, coffeehouses, newspapers, books, and correspondence between intellectuals. Philosophes such as Voltaire and Rousseau promoted their ideas through their writings and public discourse, inspiring debates and discussions that spread across Europe. The Enlightenment also saw the rise of scientific societies and academies that facilitated the sharing of new ideas and discoveries among scholars.
The Enlightenment emphasized ideas such as liberty, equality, and natural rights which inspired people to seek independence from colonial rule. The belief in self-governance and the rejection of absolute monarchy fueled independence movements in various regions, such as the American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. These movements were driven by a desire for political and social change based on Enlightenment principles.
Some examples of ideas not inspired by the Enlightenment include authoritarianism, absolute monarchy, and divine right theory. These concepts were seen as counter to the ideals of reason, individualism, and liberty promoted during the Enlightenment period.
The Enlightenment harmed the efforts of absolute monarchies to maintain their power. The Enlightenment reflected a time of personal and spiritual development, emphasizing elements of personal power over state control.
Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796, was a prominent monarch who engaged with the ideas of Enlightenment philosophes. She corresponded with influential thinkers like Voltaire and Diderot, integrating their ideas on governance and society into her policies. Catherine aimed to modernize Russia and promote education, law reform, and the arts, reflecting her commitment to Enlightenment ideals. Her reign is often seen as a significant period of cultural and political transformation in Russian history.