...Not many political documents have affected the world like The American Declaration of Independence and The French Declaration of The Rights of Man. Both documents, till this point, have had a huge impact all over the world. Without them, the world wouldn’t be what it is today. The philosophical ideas of Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Locke were greatly inspirational on both documents. They were later used by Thomas Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence, and the National Assembly, in the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Both documents can be compared in many ways. Baron de Montesquieu, a political thinker who lived during the Age of Enlightenment, had the concept of Separation of Powers. This was implemented in many constitutions throughout the world and was used in both of the mentioned documents. This theory was used to avoid tyranny and to promote liberty and justice as expressed in both documents. It was set forth to prevent one branch of government from gaining too much power over the other two branches. It basically believes in the right of a man to own private property, which is a function of individual liberty. Another political thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau influenced with his theory of a social contract. The social contract was fundamentally an agreement, entered into by individuals, which resulted in the development of the state or of organized society. The prime purpose was the aspiration for protection, which entails the surrender of some or all personal liberties...
Words: 1098 - Pages: 5
...Joe Jones The Impact of the Philosophes The philosophes believed that reason could be applied to all aspects of life, just as Isaac Newton had applied reason to science. Five important concepts eventually formed the core of their philosophy: Reason, Nature, Happiness, Progress, and Liberty One of the most brilliant and influential of the philosophes was Voltaire. He published more than 70 books on politics, essays, philosophy, history, fiction, and drama. Voltaire never stopped fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech. Many of his beliefs were adopted into the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. Another influential philosophe was the Baron de Montesquieu. He devoted himself to the study of political liberty. Montesquieu studied the history of ancient Rome, and concluded that Rome’s collapse was directly related to its loss of political liberties. Because of its balance of power between three groups of officials, he believed Britain was the best-governed country of his day. The British king and his ministers held executive power, they carried out the laws of the state. The members of Parliament held legislative, or law making power. The Judges of each applied to a specific case. Montesquieu called this the separation of powers. Even though he oversimplified how exactly it all worked, his book, On the Spirit of Laws, greatly influenced how America’s government would work. So much so that checks...
Words: 537 - Pages: 3
...Bryan Savage HY 102-016 Essay #1 The Age of Enlightenment refers to the sprawling intellectual, philosophical, cultural and social movement that spread through England, France, Germany, and other parts of Europe during the 18th century. The Enlightenment is often thought of as a time of change but also of tradition. Toward the middle of the eighteenth century, Enlightenment thinkers began to apply the ideas of Bacon, Locke, and Newton, to their newfound perspective of life. Locke argued that human nature was mutable and that knowledge was gained through accumulated experience rather than by accessing some sort of outside truth. Newton's calculus and optical theories provided the powerful Enlightenment metaphors for precisely measured change and illumination. Scientific rationalism, exemplified by the scientific method, was the hallmark of everything related to the Enlightenment. Near the end of the Renaissance, thinkers believed that the advances of science and industry foreshowed a new age of egalitarianism and progress for humankind. The intellectuals, also known as the philosophes, hoped they could create a new society in the belief that education could create better human beings and a better human society. Such philosophes as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot, Hume, Quesnay, Smith, Beccaria, Condorcet, and Rousseau attacked traditional religion as the enemy, advocated religious toleration and freedom of thought creating a new science of man. In doing so, the philosophes...
Words: 840 - Pages: 4
...The most revolutionary idea by far is that of personal freedoms and liberty. Before the enlightenment few individuals had ever thought of such a bold idea as freedom. Before great minds like John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire having undeniable rights seemed virtually impossible. Before societies like that of the Greeks and Romans, revolutionaries like Thomas Jefferson, Simon Bolivar, James Madison, Thomas Paine, George Washington and Maximilien Robespierre would not have been able to design functioning constitutions for their perspective countries. Without Freedom we today would not have the choice of what school to attend, where to work, and who we associate ourselves with. Not only has the idea behind liberty, freedom, and rights made a huge difference in the world, it has led to more individualized ideas such as abolitionism and civil rights. Without these ideas where would be as a global society? Without the idea of protecting the freedom of ourselves and others Hitler would have never been conquered, the Jews never been freed, Africans Americans never been given the right to vote and...
Words: 334 - Pages: 2
...The French Revolution The book that was reviewed is titled “The French Revolution: William Doyle”. It addresses some of the causes of the French revolution and the effects it had. The French Revolution is known as one of the most significant events in the world’s history. Its impact hardly can be overvalued due to globally caused implications. Therefore, it is considered as generally valid birth of civilized principles. Appropriate analyzing requires plenty of items considering. However, there is the try to outline the most significant causes and effects of great historical event. Let’s start with the causes of the French Revolution. A major cause was social injustice and class inequalities. 18th century in French history was the time of feudal abutment. Naturally that is accompanied by different rights and duties for its members. The division of French society members was provided by Estates. In fact, prerevolutionary France experienced three of them: first, second and third estate respectively. The contrast between them was too significant and frustrated the lowest class. The first most privileged Estate was for about 2 percent of the entire population. At the end of scholastic influence era, the power of the Church was unrestricted. As for corresponding benefits, the Estate was out of tax duty. Moreover, the Church was authorized for income tithe claiming. Curiously enough, this minority owned more than 15% percent of France’s lands. The second Estate was nobility. As well...
Words: 1411 - Pages: 6
...The Impacts of the French Revolution Latisha Wilson His 104 Professor Irene Geisler 6/17/13 The French Revolution was motivated by many origins. Many French people were displeased by the political, social and economic disorders, especially those of the third estate. The philosophers of the enlightenment changed publics’ points of view of government and society. Their goals were to expose and destroy the inequalities of the old order. The enlightenment ideals emphasized the idea of natural rights and equality. The enlightenment which was a period of where new ideas were spread throughout France often criticizing absolute government and the injustices of society. Enlightened thinkers believed that through reason humanity could advance into a new and better world. The Philosophers of the enlightenment were a vast political cause. They spread the idea that everyone should be equal. They tried to apply reason and the scientific method to laws that shaped human activities. John Locke believed that people have three natural rights. Life, liberty and property. The most impressive of the philosophers was the writer Voltaire. He fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious beliefs, and freedom of speech. Montesquieu wrote about separation of powers, dividing power among to separate branches of government. Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote in favor of human freedom. The enlightenment movement opened up citizen’s minds about positive change, respect for a person’s place...
Words: 790 - Pages: 4
...Ellis Simerly III AP European History Chapter 17—The Age of Enlightenment: Eighteenth Century Thought Chapter Overview: The Enlightenment is a movement of people and ideas that fostered the expansion of literate sectors of European society and that economic improvement and political reform were both possible and desirable. Contemporary western political and economic thought is a product of Enlightenment thinking; therefore, some historians believe the process of Enlightenment continues today. Inspired by the scientific revolution and prepared to challenge traditional intellectual and theological authority, Enlightenment writers believed that human beings can comprehend the operation of physical nature and mold it to achieve material and moral improvement, economic growth, and administrative reform. Enlightenment intellectuals advocated agricultural improvement, commercial society, expanding consumption, and the application of innovative rational methods to traditional social and economic practices. The spirit of innovation and improvement came to characterize modern Europe and Western society. Politically, the Enlightenment had a direct impact on some rulers--in eastern and central Europe—whose policies came to be known as enlightened absolutism. Section One: Formative Influences of the Enlightenment Section Overview Chief factors that fostered the ideas of the Enlightenment The Newtonian worldview the political stability and commercial...
Words: 5147 - Pages: 21
...Chapter one: The History of The Public Opinion Introduction The public opinion is a set of attitudes and views of individuals concerned with particular controversial issues, including politics and government action. Its impact is not only limited to politics and elections, but also concerned with many other spheres, such as culture, literature, the arts, public relations and so on. The American public opinion has been a subject of inquiry since the rise of democratic states, in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries because governments started to be well known, and democracies were expected to present and be responsible for their people. Before dealing with the American public opinion, one should know the nature of the notion and its...
Words: 1883 - Pages: 8
...THE LIBERAL REVOLUTION -UNDER THE IDEA OF ENLIGHTENMENT "Dare to know! Have courage to use your own reason!"-Kant Contents ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: 3 FRENCH SOCIETY: 3 THE LIBERAL REVOLUTION: 3 CRITICISM ON THE IDEA OF LIBERALISM: 4 CONCLUSION 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 6 ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: “Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed nonage… Sapere Aude! Dare to Know! Have the courage to use your own understanding is therefore the motto of the Enlightenment.” Immanuel Kant (Columbia.edu) The eighteenth century Enlightenment proved to be a movement of the intellectuals who dared to prove all the aspects in life scientifically. These individuals were greatly affected by the scientific revolution. They were, in addition, advocating the appliance of the scientific methodology to the understanding of life. Throughout the age of enlightenment, science became popular and there were many philosophers like John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Adam Smith, Montesquieu, etc who applied the natural laws to the social life. These people and their writings had a huge impact on the French Revolution. FRENCH SOCIETY: Prior to the revolution, the French society was buried under the burden of taxes-levied by the State, rents paid to the lord, contributions collected by the clergy, as well as under the forced labor exacted by all three. People were reduced to foraging for food because of the recurring famines. The famines were caused by both manmade...
Words: 1593 - Pages: 7
...Chapter I The Problem and Its Background Introduction 333 years of Spanish Colonization. 42 years of New Worlds Domination. Almost 3 years of fear made by the Samurai’s aggression. These are mighty periods that strengthen the pillars for the creations a mighty Malayan Empire in the Pacific. Inhabited by different races, a melting pot, Philippines rise from the dust of a monumental failure to a proud-gallant nation. For almost half a century of foreign domination, half century of foreign exploitation, Philippines became a ripe fruit on the Asian Tree. A proud valiant archipelago of grandiose and influences, Philippines became a melting pot, a land where too many different races took part for the development of the land. Strategically located in the heart of the Pacific, Philippines is a stepping stone. Different foreigners will be first to land in the Filipino soil before passing other Asian Countries. Geographically located in the tropic, Philippines is vested by different natural resources. Philippines, a pebble on the shoe of other Great Asian Agricultural Countries, is also a great trading empire; not only in the Asian Trade but also with the International Trade. Known as a nation rich in Tropical Fruits, Philippines showcased her greatness in International Trade as she become leading Banana and Mango exporter in Asia. Also a renowned Rice Bowl of South East Asia, Philippines sheltered the development of world-class agricultural researches that would benefit not only the...
Words: 13252 - Pages: 54
...statistically that conversionary Protestants (CPs) heavily influenced the rise and spread of stable democracy around the world. It argues that CPs were a crucial catalyst initiating the development and spread of religious liberty, mass education, mass printing, newspapers, voluntary organizations, and colonial reforms, thereby creating the conditions that made stable democracy more likely. Statistically, the historic prevalence of Protestant missionaries explains about half the variation in democracy in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania and removes the impact of most variables that dominate current statistical research about democracy. The association between Protestant missions and democracy is consistent in different continents and subsamples, and it is robust to more than 50 controls and to instrumental variable analyses. ocial scientists tend to ignore religion in the processes of post-Enlightenment modernization. In individual cases and events, the role of religious actors is clear—especially in the primary documents. Yet in broad histories and comparative analyses, religious groups are pushed to the periphery, only to pop out like a jack-in-the-box from time to time to surprise and scare people and then shrink back into their box to let the important historical changes be directed by “secular” actors and forces (Butler 2004). Yet integrating religious actors and motivations into narratives about the rise and spread of both Western modernity and democracy...
Words: 26573 - Pages: 107
...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
Words: 16161 - Pages: 65
...AP World History Survival Guide Name ________________________________ Teacher __________________________ Block _________________ Table of Contents | Pages | AP World History Overview | 3 – 7 | The AP Exam | 3 | World Regions | 4 – 5 | Five Course Themes | 6 | Four Historical Thinking Skills | 7 | Essays Overview | 8 - 15 | Document-based Question (DBQ) | 8 – 12 | Change and Continuity over Time (CCOT) | 13 – 15 | Comparative Essay | 16 – 18 | Released Free Response Questions | 19 – 20 | AP Curriculum Framework | 21 – 38 | Period 1 (Up to 600 B.C.E.)—5% | 21 – 22 | Period 2 (600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)—15% | 23 – 25 | Period 3 (600 to 1450)—20% | 26 – 28 | Period 4 (1450 to 1750)—20% | 29 – 31 | Period 5 (1750 to 1900)—20% | 32 – 35 | Period 6 (1900 to the present)—20% | 36 – 38 | Help with Some Confusing Subjects | 39 – 43 | Chinese Dynasties | 39 | Political, Economic, and Social Systems | 40 | Religions | 41 | Primary Sources | 42 | “Must Know” Years | 43 | * Many of the guidelines in this study packet are adapted from the AP World History Course Description, developed by College Board. The AP Exam Purchasing and taking the AP World History exam are requirements of the course. This year, the AP World History exam will be administered on: ___________________________________________ Format I. Multiple...
Words: 16161 - Pages: 65
...Glossary of Sociological Terms |11-Plus Exam |Examination introduced with the 1944 Education Act, sat by all pupils in the state sector| | |at the age of 11. If they passed they went to the selective Grammar School, or if they | | |failed to the Secondary Modern School. This exam still exists in some counties such as | | |Kent and also in Northern Ireland. | |12-Plus Exam |Exam made available only to a minority of 'high-flyers' in Secondary Modern schools, | | |offering a late chance to go to Grammar School at the age of 12. | |'30-30-40 society' |A term associated with Will Hutton to describe an increasingly insecure and polarised | | |society. The bottom 30 per cent is socially excluded by poverty from the rest of society.| | |The next 30 per cent live in fear and insecurity of falling into poverty. Only the top 40| | |per cent feel secure and confident. ...
Words: 22530 - Pages: 91
...AP EUROPEAN HISTORY NOTES- Filled with silliness and inside jokes, enjoy at your leisure :) If something is in [] brackets, it is only written in there for our pleasure, ignore it if you are looking for actual information. Key: • 7: The Renaissance and Reformation- 1350-1600 UMSUniversal o Georgio Vasari- Rinascita=rebirth (like Renaissance) painter/architect Male Suffrage o Individualism: People sought to receive personal credit for achievements, unlike medieval ideal of “all glory goes to god” Names Ideas o Renaissance: Began in Italian city-states, a cause de invention of the printing press, laid way for Protestant Reformation Events Books/Texts Italy: City states, under HRE (Holy Roman Empire) o For alliances: old nobility vs. wealthy merchants FIGHT P-Prussia Popolo: third class, “the people”, wanted own share of wealth/power R-Russia A-Austria Ciompi Revolts: 1378 Florence, Popolo were revolting [eew], brief period of control over government B-Britain Milan taken over by signor (which is a tyrant) • o Under control of the Condottiero (mercenary) Sforza- Significant because after this, a few wealthy families dominated Venice (e.g. Medici) Humanism: Francesco Petrarch (Sonnets), came up with term “Dark Ages”, began to study classical world of rhetoric and literature Cicero: Important Roman, provided account of collapse of Roman Republic [like Edward Gibbon], invented Ciceronian style: Latin style of writing...
Words: 17289 - Pages: 70
