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Line 30: + + − + − ==Politics== − Liberalism ([[Classical liberalism]]) was one the dominate political thoughts to emerge from the European Enlightenment. Writers like John Locke imagined the foundations of classical liberal thought in government and society. In his ''Second Treatise of Civil Government'', Locke expounds on the basic tenets of liberalism such as individual freedom<ref>Locke, John. ''A Second Treaties of Civil Government'', Chapter VII, Sec. 87</ref>, legal equality under the law, and private property<ref>Ibid., Chapter V</ref>. His concept of civil society was one of a contractual agreement between the citizens and a government formed to protect the fundamental rights of all persons<ref>Ibid., Chapter II, Chapter II, Sec. 13</ref>. These ideas provided a foundation for constitutional government and the creation of rights in the private and public sphere. − − Constitutionalism competed with absolutism as a source of central, government power beginning the 17th century. In 1688, constitutionalism was codified in England during the ascension of William and Mary to the throne. An English Bill of Rights was also adopted. The French Revolution of 1789 replaced the absolutist tradition of the French Monarchy. American independence established a constitution (originally the Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution of 1787) and articles like the [[Declaration of Independence]] echoed themes of social contract theory.
combined politics sections, editted enlightened despots --~~~~
The '''Enlightenment''' was an 18th-century movement in European and American thought that emphasized the power or reason and science, rather than traditional doctrine, to understand and reform the world. Some historians also include 17th-century philosophy, usually called the [[Age of Reason]].
The '''Enlightenment''' was an 18th-century movement in European and American thought that emphasized the power of reason and science, rather than traditional doctrine, to understand and reform the world. Some historians also include 17th-century philosophy, usually called the [[Age of Reason]].
The Enlightenment artistic style is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier [[Baroque]] and the later [[Romantic]] styles). The Enlightenment marked advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics), economics, political theory, geography (especially exploration), and technology (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]), though in fact the greatest achievements in those fields were typically inspired by Christianity.
The Enlightenment artistic style is called "classical" (as opposed to the earlier [[Baroque]] and the later [[Romantic]] styles). The Enlightenment marked advances in philosophy, the sciences (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics), economics, political theory, geography (especially exploration), and technology (especially the origins of the [[Industrial Revolution]]), though in fact the greatest achievements in those fields were typically inspired by Christianity.
Developed by the [[philosophes]] in [[France]], England, Scotland, and the German states, the Enlightenment influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].
Developed by the [[philosophes]] in [[France]], England, Scotland, and the German states, the Enlightenment influenced the whole of Europe including [[Russia]] and Scandinavia, as well as the American colonies in the era of the [[American Revolution]].
==Political impact==
==Political impact==
The crowning political effect of the Enlightenment was the [[French Revolution]], which culminated in the burning of churches and the beheading of accomplished Frenchmen.. Culturally, the rise of [[Romanticism]], with its quest for the unknown future, displaced classical Enlightenment forms, especially in music, painting, literature and philosophy, after 1810.
The crowning political effect of the Enlightenment was the [[French Revolution]], which culminated in the burning of churches and the beheading of accomplished Frenchmen. Culturally, the rise of [[Romanticism]], with its quest for the unknown future, displaced classical Enlightenment forms, especially in music, painting, literature and philosophy, after 1810.
Liberalism ([[Classical liberalism]]) was one the dominant political thoughts to emerge from the European Enlightenment. Writers like John Locke imagined the foundations of classical liberal thought in government and society. In his ''Second Treatise of Civil Government'', Locke expounds on the basic tenets of liberalism such as individual freedom<ref>Locke, John. ''A Second Treaties of Civil Government'', Chapter VII, Sec. 87</ref>, legal equality under the law, and private property<ref>Ibid., Chapter V</ref>. His concept of civil society was one of a contractual agreement between the citizens and a government formed to protect the fundamental rights of all persons<ref>Ibid., Chapter II, Sec. 13</ref>.
These ideas provided a foundation for constitutional government and the creation of rights in the private and public sphere. Discussions between philosophes in French salons and in British coffeehouses created a community now regarded to as the "[[marketplace of ideas|public sphere]]." This sharing of ideas between individuals without the overview of authority allowed for the creation and critique of ideas without fear of traditional authority figures. This tradition of the public sphere, or the "[[marketplace of ideas]]" is an underlying institution in Western democratic theory.
Constitutionalism competed with absolutism as a source of central, government power beginning the 17th century. In 1688, constitutionalism was codified in England during the ascension of William and Mary to the throne. An English Bill of Rights was also adopted. The French Revolution of 1789 replaced the absolutist tradition of the French Monarchy. American independence established a constitution (originally the Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution of 1787) and articles like the [[Declaration of Independence]] echoed themes of social contract theory.
==Leaders==
==Leaders==
===Enlightened despots===
===Enlightened despots===
Philosophers were endorsed by "enlightened despots"—rulers who tried to impose reform by authoritarian means, including [[Joseph II]] of the Holy Roman Empire (Austria), [[Frederick II]] of Prussia, [[Catherine II]] of Russia, and [[Charles III]] of Spain.
Philosophers were endorsed by "enlightened despots"—rulers who tried to impose reform by authoritarian means, including [[Joseph II]] of the Holy Roman Empire (Austria), [[Frederick II]] of Prussia, [[Catherine II]] of Russia, and [[Charles III]] of Spain. Despite heading absolutist rather than constitutional governments, these rulers are considered enlightened because of policies and laws enacted during their rule. For example, during his rule Joseph II abolished hereditary servitude ([[serfdom]]) and enacted the [[Edict of Toleration]] that extended civil rights to non-Catholics and Jews.
===America===
===America===
Writers during the Enlightenment assumed that all branches of science could emulate the achievements in physics of [[Isaac Newton]], through a systematic and logical approach.
Writers during the Enlightenment assumed that all branches of science could emulate the achievements in physics of [[Isaac Newton]], through a systematic and logical approach.
==Deism==
==Deism==
Some of the Enlightenment leaders of the period challenged traditional Christianity as they adopted God in a [[deist]] form that saw his role as the clockmaker, not the personal guide. While much of the population of the times remained Christian in terms of performing traditional rituals, deism took root in England, France, and the American colonies. Historians have pointed out that argues that belief in Christianity continued to flourish at the grass roots level.<ref> S. J. Barnett, ''The Enlightenment and Religion. The Myths of Modernity'' (2003) </ref>
Some of the Enlightenment leaders of the period challenged traditional Christianity as they adopted God in a [[deist]] form that saw his role as the clockmaker, not the personal guide. While much of the population of the times remained Christian in terms of performing traditional rituals, deism took root in England, France, and the American colonies. Historians have pointed out that argues that belief in Christianity continued to flourish at the grass roots level.<ref> S. J. Barnett, ''The Enlightenment and Religion. The Myths of Modernity'' (2003) </ref>
==Pietism==
==Pietism==
[[Pietism]] was a new and powerful religious movement that emerged among Lutheran and Reformed circles, especially in Germany. It stressed a vision of individual rebirth as opposed to ritual and theology, with stress on individual moral behavior. Pietism promoted revivals and missionary activism to convert the world to Christ. American versions of pietism include the revivals of the [[First Great Awakening]] and was especially manifest in the rapid growth of [[Baptist]] and [[Methodist]] churches. The First Great Awakening launched [[evangelicalism]] in America.<ref> Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Awakening-Evangelical-Christianity-Colonial/dp/0300118872/ref=ed_oe_h excerpt and text search]; William G. McLaughlin, ''Isaac Backus and the American Pietistic Tradition'' (1967)</ref>
[[Pietism]] was a new and powerful religious movement that emerged among Lutheran and Reformed circles, especially in Germany. It stressed a vision of individual rebirth as opposed to ritual and theology, with stress on individual moral behavior. Pietism promoted revivals and missionary activism to convert the world to Christ. American versions of pietism include the revivals of the [[First Great Awakening]] and was especially manifest in the rapid growth of [[Baptist]] and [[Methodist]] churches. The First Great Awakening launched [[evangelicalism]] in America.<ref> Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Awakening-Evangelical-Christianity-Colonial/dp/0300118872/ref=ed_oe_h excerpt and text search]; William G. McLaughlin, ''Isaac Backus and the American Pietistic Tradition'' (1967)</ref>
==Ending==
==Ending==
Politically the [[French Revolution]] of the 1790s ended the movement. Culturally, the rise of [[Romanticism]], with its quest for the unknown future, displaced classical Enlightenment forms, especially in music, painting, literature and philosophy, after 1810.
Politically the [[French Revolution]] of the 1790s ended the movement. Culturally, the rise of [[Romanticism]], with its quest for the unknown future, displaced classical Enlightenment forms, especially in music, painting, literature and philosophy, after 1810.