APEURO: Unit 4, Scientific, Philosophical, Political Developments - The Enlightenment, Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Diderot, Beccaria

Why This Matters

The Enlightenment, a 17th- and 18th-century intellectual movement, is significant for understanding the development of modern Western society. This period's emphasis on reason, individual rights, and the social contract laid the groundwork for the American and French Revolutions, shaping the course of modern politics, law, and culture. As an AP theme, the Enlightenment's focus on individualism and the social contract is closely tied to the concept of American Identity, as it influenced the Founding Fathers' ideas about liberty, democracy, and the role of government.

Key Events & People

• John Locke (1632-1704): English philosopher who argued that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, and that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
• Voltaire (1694-1778): French philosopher and writer who advocated for reason, tolerance, and free speech, and was a key figure in the development of the Enlightenment in France.
• Montesquieu (1689-1755): French philosopher who argued that power should be divided among separate branches of government to prevent tyranny and promote liberty.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778): French philosopher who argued that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society, and that the social contract is a necessary evil to maintain order and protect individual rights.
• Denis Diderot (1713-1784): French philosopher and writer who was a key figure in the development of the Encyclopedia, a comprehensive reference work that reflected the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and knowledge.
• Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794): Italian philosopher who argued that punishment should be based on the principle of deterrence, rather than revenge or retribution.
• The Treaty of Westphalia (1648): A treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War and established the principle of sovereignty, which held that states have supreme authority within their own territories.
• The English Bill of Rights (1689): A document that established certain rights and liberties for English subjects, including freedom of speech and protection from arbitrary arrest.
• The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789): A document that enshrined the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and served as a model for later declarations of rights.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of absolutism in Europe led to a reaction against centralized power and the development of Enlightenment ideas.
• Effect: The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and individual rights contributed to the development of modern democracy and the decline of absolute monarchy.

• Long-term consequence: The Enlightenment's ideas about liberty, equality, and fraternity continue to shape modern politics and society.

• Cause: The development of the printing press and the spread of literacy enabled the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas to a wider audience.

• Effect: The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and knowledge contributed to the development of modern science and the scientific method.

• Long-term consequence: The Enlightenment's ideas about the importance of education and critical thinking continue to shape modern society.

• Cause: The Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and the social contract led to the development of modern democracy.

• Effect: The Enlightenment's ideas about liberty, equality, and fraternity contributed to the development of modern human rights and the protection of individual freedoms.
• Long-term consequence: The Enlightenment's ideas about the importance of individual rights and freedoms continue to shape modern politics and society.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Social Contract*: An agreement between individuals and the government that establishes the terms of their relationship and the limits of government power.
• *Absolutism*: A system of government in which the monarch or ruler has absolute power and authority.
• *Sovereignty*: The supreme authority of a state or government within its own territory.
• *Reason*: The use of logic and evidence to arrive at a conclusion or decision.
• *Toleration*: The acceptance of different beliefs and practices without interference or persecution.
• *Liberty*: The freedom to act and make choices without interference or constraint.
• *Equality*: The principle that all individuals are equal and should be treated as such.
• *Fraternity*: The principle of brotherhood and solidarity among individuals and groups.
• *Deterrence*: The use of punishment or other measures to prevent crime or undesirable behavior.
• *Natural Rights*: Rights that are inherent to individuals and are not granted by the government.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing John Locke with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, or thinking that the Enlightenment was a single event rather than a movement.
• Correction: Locke argued that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, while Rousseau argued that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society. The Enlightenment was a movement that spanned several decades and involved many thinkers and writers.
• What students often get wrong: Thinking that the Treaty of Westphalia was a single event, rather than a treaty that ended a long and complex conflict.
• Correction: The Treaty of Westphalia was a series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War, and established the principle of sovereignty, which held that states have supreme authority within their own territories.
• What students often get wrong: Confusing the English Bill of Rights with the American Bill of Rights.
• Correction: The English Bill of Rights was a document that established certain rights and liberties for English subjects, while the American Bill of Rights was a document that established certain rights and liberties for American citizens.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: How did the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and individual rights contribute to the development of modern democracy?
• Possible evidence: The writings of John Locke, the Treaty of Westphalia, the English Bill of Rights, and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
• Possible essay prompt: How did the Enlightenment's ideas about liberty, equality, and fraternity shape modern politics and society?
• Possible evidence: The writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and the American Declaration of Independence.
• Possible essay prompt: How did the Enlightenment's emphasis on education and critical thinking contribute to the development of modern science and the scientific method?
• Possible evidence: The writings of Denis Diderot, the development of the Encyclopedia, and the work of scientists such as Isaac Newton and Galileo.

Quick Self-Check

1. Who argued that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property? Answer: John Locke Explanation: Locke's ideas about natural rights and the social contract were influential in the development of modern democracy.
2. What was the main principle of the Treaty of Westphalia? Answer: Sovereignty Explanation: The Treaty of Westphalia established the principle of sovereignty, which held that states have supreme authority within their own territories.
3. Who argued that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society? Answer: Jean-Jacques Rousseau Explanation: Rousseau's ideas about the social contract and the nature of humanity were influential in the development of modern politics and society.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Westphalia was a series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War.
• The English Bill of Rights was a document that established certain rights and liberties for English subjects.
• The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was a document that enshrined the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• John Locke argued that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society.
• Denis Diderot was a key figure in the development of the Encyclopedia.
• Cesare Beccaria argued that punishment should be based on the principle of deterrence.
• The Enlightenment was a movement that spanned several decades and involved many thinkers and writers.
• The social contract is an agreement between individuals and the government that establishes the terms of their relationship and the limits of government power.
• Absolutism is a system of government in which the monarch or ruler has absolute power and authority.