The European Enlightenment

The European Enlightenment was an intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries
inspired by French thinkers (philosophes). The Enlightenment also called ‘the Age of Reason’
was an outpouring of ideas which challenged the status quo of Absolutism, the Divine Right of
Kings and the dominance of the Church. It was a time of enquiring, philosophising and
reasoning, following from the ideas and beliefs of the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution.
While the Enlightenment did not suggest new policies for government and the writers were not
united in thought; this period is credited with providing the ideas which ended the ‘ancient
regime’ of Europe and shaped the foundations of modern society. Modern 21 st century
government, ideology, institutions and commerce can all be traced to the ideas proposed by
the enlightenment writers.

Enlightenment Writers
The works of the enlightenment writers of the 18th century were put together in the 1750s’
Encyclopédie which helped to spread their ideas throughout Europe.

Philosophes – questioned traditional assumptions about Society, the Church and Absolutism.
They also questioned the relationship between the people and their rulers.
Physiocrats – aimed to address the contradiction between authority and the freedoms of the
people. They also presented new models for the economy and commerce.

 François Voltaire
 John Locke
 Anne Turgot
 Jean-Jacques Rousseau
 Charles Montesquieu

Enlightenment Ideas

MAIN Political Ideas of the European Enlightenment

Challenged Divine Right Monarchy – Argued that it was neither scientific nor logical that the
authority to rule could come from God/Providence. This rejected Absolutism which got its
authority from God. Writers argued that an entire State could not be ruled solely in the interest
of one person or royal family.
Challenged Privilege – Privilege was the favour of the Monarchy towards the nobility and the
clergy which created an unequal society. Privilege had no place in a civilised society.
Social Contract – existed between the government and the government. The rulers are chosen
to govern in the interest of the people rather than the privileged few.
Natural Order Rights – these are inalienable, all men are born with them and they cannot be
taken away by the State. These include Liberty, Freedom of Speech, the Right to Vote, The
Freedom to own and enjoy Property, etc.
Liberty, Equality – Two MAIN inalienable Rights of Man.
Rule of Law – Laws in a Written Constitution must be applied equally and according to reason.
Individuals must be protected from injustice and arbitrary rule.
Due Process – the Law and the judicial process would be applied equally to all persons as stated
under the Constitution.
Separation of Powers - Tyranny can be avoided if there are Checks and Balances on the rulers.
Those who make the Law must be separate from those who apply and Enforce the Law. Thus
the Three Arms of Government – the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary must be
separate.
Popular Sovereignty – Rousseau proposed the direct participation of all persons in local
assemblies depending on their level of political awareness, to choose or sack their government.
A parliament would be elected to represent the interest of the people.
Direct Democracy – Proposed by Rousseau where everyone would be involved in choosing a
representative government.

Other Political Ideas of the Enlightenment writers

The General Will – From mass assemblies of citizens, those who ran the government would
understand the ‘General Will’ – the laws which were best for the whole community.
Civil Society – In a civil society there was mutual consent and agreement about the
fundamental/natural rights and power was a trust from the community.
Legal Despotism – physiocrats argued that only a strong leader with authoritarian powers could
maintain THE NATURAL ORDER RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.
Laissez-faire Government –non-interference in the economy, markets; attack on mercantilism.
Promotion of free enterprise.

Other Enlightenment Ideas

Criticism of the Church – Writers rejected unproven dogma of the Church and rejected its hold
over Education in society and the spread of new ideas. The Church was exposed as encouraging
superstition and intolerance. The Inquisition and Judicial Torture were condemned.
Religious Tolerance – A virtue in an age of religious persecution. Scholars argued that man
controlled his destiny. Voltaire attacked established religion and the intolerance of the Church.
The concept of the Greater Good – The idea of promoting people’s happiness in this life rather
than the afterlife. Use education to realise talents and become useful citizens.
Progress – Human progress was to be encouraged and lives improved…this was in opposition to
traditional teachings where the Church encouraged people to stay in the station they were born
into.
Utilitarianism – Useful Laws and useful institutions were needed to improve the welfare of
society. This included the establishment of orphanages, widow relief, poor relief etc.
Abolition of slavery and serfdom – these institutions could not remain as they denied the rights
of man.
Humanitarianism – Promoting the welfare of people everywhere.
Laissez-faire Economics – free-trade, abolition of Guilds, an end to mercantilism and its
protectionism policies. Establishing standard weights and measures and abolishing internal
customs duties.
QUESTIONS:
1. Briefly describe THREE main principles of the European Enlightenment. (6)
2. Outline FOUR significant political ideas of the European Enlightenment.(8)
3. Choose TWO European thinkers of the enlightenment and give a brief summary of their
thoughts on
(a) Sovereignty (b) religion (c) politics
4. Choose TWO thinkers of the European Enlightenment and outline their main
ideas/contributions.

5. June 2010
Explain the political principles of the European Enlightenment. (30 marks)

6. June 2012
Discuss the extent to which the eighteenth century Enlightenment was ashift from the
centrality of religious thought in Europe. (30 marks)