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Jan 6, 1543
On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres
Nicholas Copernicus wrote On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres actually dedicating it to Pope Paul III. In this text, he published the heliocentric theory that the earth orbited the sun rather than this continual idea that the earth is the center of the universe. Copernicus also talks about the discovery of the new world. By publishing this revolutionary work, Copernicus completely altered the way that we view our universe and created intelligence behind what our place truly is. -
Discourse on Method
In 1637 Rene Descartes first published 'Discours de la méthode pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la vérité dans les sciences', which was his publication discussing the ways in our beliefs and the idea that doubt should be the first response until proven otherwise. In his time, people were so easily influenced and altered just because of their easy belief systems. When Descartes published this idea that maybe we shouldn't believe everything we hear, it altered the minds of our people. -
The Treatises of Government
John Locke anonymously published the first Treatise of Government. This was actually an attack on Robert Filmer's publication Patriarcha. By publishing this Treatise of Government, Locke gave a new look at the beliefs that kings are heirs of 'Adam' in regards to the bible. He put more of a view of natural equality into society and changed the way we look at ultimate rule. -
Montesquieu
Baron de Montesquieu, who was born in France in 1689, was a great philosopher of his time-changing the way our government is run. His full title was Baron de la Brede et de Montesquieu -
John Locke Publishes
John Locke published Essay Concerning Human Understanding and The Second Treatise of Government. John Locke believed that government was in place to preserve Life, Liberty, and Property for society, not to be in constant and complete control, taking away those rights. John Locke also believed that people should be sovereign, showing that each person needs to have their own words and voice and power. -
John Locke
John Locke publishes Some Thoughts Concerning Education. -
François-Marie d'Arouet
François-Marie d'Arouet, better known as, Voltaire (his pen name) was born in 1694. Voltaire wrote countless publishings; plays, books, essays, etc. More importantly, he changed society during the Enlightenment. Voltaire is a crucial part in France and the Enlightenment period. He was best known for strongly expressing his beliefs about the Catholic Church, and the importance of freedom to speech, religion, expression as well as, separation of church and state. -
John Locke
John Locke publishes The Reasonableness of Christianity. -
John Locke's Death
John Locke had one of the greatest influences on society and the way that we think. He is known as one of the greatest philosophers of his time and gave us reason to question and think further upon our place in society and our relationships with all things in our world and our God. -
Persian Letters
Baron de Montesquieu published Persian Letters in 1721. This was his first claim to fame as it somewhat insulted the ways of the church and the wealthy society in France. -
Voltaire returns
In 1729, the government of Paris allowed Voltaire to re-enter after his stay in England. Many people did not understand the reasons behind his mental 'change' and new ways of thinking. He was said to have become a 'Philosophe', which is really one of the leading philosophers, or intellectuals of the Enlightenment period. -
On the Spirit of Laws
In 1748, Montesquieu's truely famous piece was published. On the Spirit of Laws changed the way that we view government today. The publishing of this information described, in depth, about the issues among a single ruler or monarchy. Montesquieu created the idea among 3 branches of government working together and having separate powers over each other, so that the government can stay balanced. Alone, Montesquieu gave an 'out' to the controlling views of a monarchy. -
Declaration of Independence
The US Declaration of Independence is one of the most influenced documents by the Age of Enlightenment. The founding fathers were all very connected to the Age of Enlightenment and most were directly effected by the ideals of Philosophers of the Enlightenment. Voltaire and Montesquieu had some of the most obvious influences on this document, with the separation of the church from the government, as well as the development of checks and balances among the government. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
In 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was drafted. This document specifically refers to our rights as citizens and the part that we play. This document aims to destroy a governmental monarchy and put the idea that real 'reason' should be the guiding force in decisions that we make. Philosophers from the Enlightenment; Voltaire and Montesquieu, were directly consulted in the making of this document. The ideas and forms of thinking that came from the Enlightenment were vital! -
Bill of Rights
In 1791, the Bill of Rights was officially adopted as ammendments to the constitution. This was vital to our government, as well as the future of our rights as citizens. The Bill of Rights was largely influenced by the Age of Enlightenment, the ideas of our simple freedoms of 'speech, liberty, religion, etc.' are pulled straight from the ideas of Voltaire and many other philosophers of the Enlightenment.
