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The Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was a series of conflicts fought between Protestants and Catholics over power and land in Europe. It is the fuel that ignited the Enlightenment and set it ablaze across Europe. German writers were compelled to by the war to criticize the ideas of nationalism and warfare. These authors were some of the first Enlightenment minds to go against tradition and look for better solutions. -
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Enlightenment
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Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan
A major figure of the Enlightenment of England, Thomas Hobbes published his book Leviathan. In the book, Hobbes felt that people are naturally greedy, selfish, cruel and oppressive and only society holds them back and maintains order in the world. He belives that it is most right to have one intimidating ruler for an ideal society. Hobbes favored an absolute monarchy. -
Newton's Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy
Newton published this series of writing regarding his findings in 1687. These writings helped introduce and teach the world about the fascinating force of gravity. Newton also helped in the creation of calculus. His teachings are widespread today. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution ended the monarchy of James II and started a new era, with William and Mary taking the throne. It also ended Catholic reign over England. William and Mary, both protestants, changed the course of England and the ideas of divine right, opening up new liberties to allow the Enlightenment to thrive. -
John Locke's Two Treatises on Government
John Locke's Two Treatises on Government provided a more opimistic view on what society should look like. He stated that the natural liberty of humans is "to be free from any superior power on earth." Locke also believes that humans should have a Law of Nature for his rule. He proposed a representative government, where power is balanced. Locke's ideas were popular among the majority of the English; Montesquieu later further spread Locke's ideas. -
Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws
Baron de Montesquieu was very involved in politics. A strong supporter of John Locke, he elaborated on Locke's work, solidifying concepts such as the separation of power by means of divisions in government, such as the Congress, Senate, and the House of Representatives, through his book The Spirit of the Laws. This separation of power later helped to form the US Constitution. -
Voltaire's Candide
Voltaire satirized many aspects of religion and philosophy in the Enlightenment. His numerous works expressed freedom from religion and his humorous novel Candide is his most notable work. It processes all of Voltaire's thinking into one piece of writing. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau- The Social Contract
In his book, Rosusseau believed that people in their natural state were good. Rousseau thought society placed too much limitations on people's behavior. Unlike other thinkers, who put the individual before community, Rousseau did the opposite. His ideas were adopted by many reformers and revolutionists in the future. -
Diderot's Encyclopedia
In the era of the Enlightenment, thinking was different, it only focused on one specific topic, not many. Diderot decided to create a 36 volume encyclopedia containing writings of many philosophical thinkers at that time, to deepen the idea of thinking. The encyclopedia included writings and ideas from John Locke, Newton, and Rene Descartes. -
Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith, a physiocrat, argued in his book that free market should have the right to control business activity. Smith criticized the many disadvantages of mercantilism and listed many benefits a free trade system could have, without government interference. -
Paine's Common Sense
Thomas Paine's pamphlet addressed to British colonies in America states that they should rebel against their queen and declare freedom. Paine’s work had great influence on public sentiment during the American Revolution and was inspired by the Enlightenment. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is one of many products of the Enlightenment. This document is directly inspired by the Enlightenment, and proudly founded the United States of America. -
French Revolution
What ultimately started the Enlightenment ended it as well: a war. The French Revolution started in 1789 when the middle class revolted against King Louis XIV, creating their own government that lasted for several years before descending into war. Critics saw this violence as a direct result of Enlightenment thought. -
Mozart's The Magic Flute
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is regarded as one of the most influential, brilliant, and creative musical geniuses in history. His collection of over 600 operas, conciertos, and symphonies. The Magic Flute is one of his many works that were widely popular in Europe during the Enlightenment. -
Wollenstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of a Woman
Mary Wollenstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of a Woamn targets equal education for both boys and girls. She argues that education is the only thing that can help women become equally involved with men in public life.
