The Enlightenment (18th C) (jan 1, 1700 – jan 1, 1800)

Description:

The Age of Reason

England = model for the continent
Sense of superiority over other European nations
Patriotism in British society

Rise of “polite” society = “civilising process” (decrease of violence + increase in form of sociability) = people can have conversation + share things after work
Growth of the public sphere = helped to develop bourgeois opinion or the middle class opinion (opinion which is different of the Elite)

French enlightenment = more anti-religious

Knowledge = travels and lots of books about travels
Science = kind of entertainment (=divertissement) can appear to all classes

K = absolute monarch -> people started to question this concept.
Thomas Hobbs = evil and selfish (bad decision) -> need a K
John Locke = H -> natural rights (Life, Liberty, Property)
Montesquieu = Separate power (executive, legislative, judicial)
Rousseau = social contract (agreement btw people) if violated = revolt
Voltaire = separate church and state

Csq = American Revolution (1775-1783) + Fr Rev (1789-1799)

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