AP Euro Chapter 9: The Age of Enlightenment: Eighteenth-Century Thought

What were physiocrats? What did they believe?

Led by Francois Quesnay, the physiocrats believed in the protection of property by the government as well as consolidation of farms.

How did most philosophes feel about religion?

Many of them believed that religion was characterized by intolerance. They targeted Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism.

What is a print culture?

A culture where printed materials such as books or pamphlets had a status of their own.

What form of government did Montesquieu favor?

A three-branch government, with checks and balances to limit excessive power in any one branch. He believed that the monarch's power should be limited by parlements.

What was laissez-faire? Who developed this idea?

Adam Smith founded the idea of laissez-faire thought, which called for minimal government interference in the economy.

What was deism?

Deism was the belief in a rational god that had created the universe and had then let life continue without interference. Deists also believed in life after death, with punishments and rewards.

Who were some enlightened monarchs, or enlightened absolutists?

Frederick II of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria, and Catherine II of Russia.

Why were governments threatened by the expansion of literacy?

Governments couldn't work in secret any longer-they had to explain and show their views publicly.

What was important about Beccaria's On Crimes and Punishments?

He explored what punishments-such as torture-were just and effective.

What were some of the things that made Frederick II an enlightened absolutist?

He subordinated his personal interests to that of the state, chose officials based on merit, allowed full religious toleration, and developed Prussian agriculture and economic policy.

What were some of Joseph II of Austria's actions?

He wished to extend territory, increase authority of the Hapsburgs, granted the right of private worship to Jews, brought the church under government control, carried out agrarian reforms, and introduced a new method of land taxation- although this was met with anger from the nobility.

Why was Voltaire exiled and harassed by several different governments?

He wrote many satirical and sarcastic essays, poems, and stories.

What were some themes of Neoclassical art?

Heroism, self-sacrifice, political criticism, republican themes, and public life and morals.

What did Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary state about the Bible?

It pointed out inconsistencies in biblical narratives and immoral acts of the biblical heroes.

Who were two of the intellectual forerunners of the Enlightenment? How were their ideas spread?

John Locke and Isaac Newton-their ideas spread widely as literacy and publishing grew. Emilie Du Chatelet translated Newton's Principia into French, which spread his ideas further.

Were philosophes advocates of equality for women? If not, what did they want?

Not really- they wanted broader and better education for women, but they overall continued to hold traditional views of women. Montesquieu upheld ideas about female chastity, traditional marriage, and male-dominated institutions. The Encyclopedia had very few articles by women. Rousseau set forward an idea about how women and men occupy different spheres of life that would remain influential for many years after.

What were some topics explored in these print materials?

Only a few were religious-others explored topics that would relate to the upper classes, while others were addressed towards the lower classes. This included radical ideas and propaganda.

What did Kant state about the age in which he lived?

Rather than an Enlightened age, it was an age of Enlightenment-as full autonomy and independence had not been reached.

What was the style of art known as Rococo? Where was it popular? What was Neoclassicism?

Rococo art emphasized light and pastel colors. It was popular in churches and hotels, and portrayed the aristocracy. Neoclassicism drew on the Renaissance, and revived republican ideals that challenged the Old Regime.

What were Rousseau's thoughts on society? What did he believe about wealth?

Rousseau believed that society made people unhappy/evil. Uneven distribution of property was a chief cause of evil in the world. However, individuals cannot achieve much, and society causes them to become capable of performing actions. Rousseau believed that it was better to be poor and happy than rich and sad.

How was Poland partitioned?

Russia agreed to give up its territory along the Danube in order to receive a large piece of Polish territory. Austria took southern Poland, and Prussia took some territory as a reward for remaining neutral.

What was Catherine the Great's thought on reforms?

She believed that major reforms needed to be carried out in order for Russia to remain a great power. However, she only carried out limited reforms for years, such as improving the economy and placing power in the hands of the nobility.

What was important about Denis Diderot's Encyclopedia? How was it different that Voltaire's writings?

The Encyclopedia contained many articles on agriculture, manufacturing, and other important social and economic topics. The ideas contained in the articles were secular and intended to undermine Middle Ages thought. Voltaire's writings were more satirical and humorous than the factual writings of the Encyclopedia.

What was a driving factor in the increase of print materials?

The growth in literacy in (especially) the urban centers of Western and central Europe.

Who were the philosophes-what did they believe in, and who were some famous ones?

The philosophes were the writers and critics of the 18th century who wanted and advocated for reform. They wished to apply reason and common sense to the institutions of the time. Some famous philosophes were Voltaire, Montesquieu, Kant, Diderot, and Rousseau.

What were some of the criticisms that enlightened thinkers had with empires?

They criticized the morals of empire-building, such as enslavement of Africans and exploitation of the Native Americans. They also believed that the cultures of the conquered nations should have been preserved rather than destroyed.

What did Nathan the Wise, written by Gotthold Lessing, call for?

Tolerance for not only the various Christian sects, but non-Christian religions as well.