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Isaac Newton's Principia mathematica
In his work, newton laid out in mathematical terms the principles of time, force, and motion that have guided the development of modern physical science. This was important because he developed important scientific ideas and it shows the scientific advances during the time. -
John Locke's 'Two treatises of Government'
His work argued that all individuals have natural rights to freedom, independence, and political equality. It is important because it had an important influence on the development of modern concepts of democracy. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was passed by the English parliament. It prevented the Crown from raising taxes without parliament’s permission. It is important because it led the way to England becoming a constitutional monarchy. -
Salons
Salons were gathering places for wealthy, intellectually minded elites during the years during and prior to the Enlightenment. The salons typically held weekly meetings where upper-class citizens gathered to discuss the political and social theories of the day. Women were able to host them and became more important to them. Women being able to help showed a gradual change in gender equality, but very slowly. -
Montesquieu published 'Persian Letters'
His work criticizes French society, culture, religion, nation and politics, and asks questions about women. In his letters, he used reason to liberate the mind. This was a true piece of Enlightened work because the Enlightenment focused on emphasizing reason and individualism rather than religion. -
Voltaire published 'Philosophic Letters to the English'
His work shows how he was exposed to the English empiricism and how the English aristocracy exposed him to Enlightenment ideas that he took back to France. His works later influenced the Enlightenment ideas in France because of his writings. -
Freemanosry established in Europe
Freemasonry supported all of the philosophies and ideals of the Enlightenment and encouraged its members to pursue lives filled with integrity, honesty, and love for all humankind. -
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Frederick the Great
Frederick the Great was an Enlightened despot who patronized philosophers and scientists. He also supported the arts. He is considered Enlightened because of his efforts in making his kingdom a free place for the philosophers and intellectuals of the Enlightenment era. Frederick is considered a philosopher-king and one of the important intellectuals of the era -
Montesquieu published 'The Spirit of the Laws'
His work is a treatise on political theory. He writes about the influence of climate on society, the separation of political powers, and the need for checks on a powerful executive office. These ideas were later central to the American Revolution. -
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Diderot published 'The Encyclopedia'
His aim was to change the way people think and for people to be able to inform themselves and to know things. It brought together Enlightened ideas about science, art, and government. -
Rousseau published 'The Social Contract' and 'Emile'
'The Social contract' was an agreement between the people of a state and the government of a state. 'Emile' was important for education because it served as the inspiration for what became a new national system of education. -
Voltaire published 'Treaties on Toleration'
He argued for religious toleration because he believed religious intolerance was against the law of nature. His work is a big piece of Enlightenment work because writers during that time turned away from the darkness of the church. -
Adam Smith published 'Wealth of Nations'
His work is considered the first work on modern economics. He had an immediate impact on British economic policy that still continues to modern day. It is important because it revolutionized economics and brought more national leaders into thinking of how to make their nations more wealthy which improved the quality of life -
Condorcet published 'A treatise on the Rights of Women'
He argued that if rights were universal, as the doctrine of natural rights and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen both seemed to imply, then they must apply to all adults. He said that women have the same natural rights as men. -
Beginning of the French Revolution
It marked a decisive break in the history of France and Europe, and accelerated intellectual, cultural, and psychological change. The Revolution brought a widening of expectations and imaginative awareness which was a belief, inherited from the Enlightenment, in the possibility of progress, as well as a conviction that state and society could be reconstituted. -
Mary Wollstonecraft published 'A Vindication of the Rights of Women'
Her work pointed out contradictions in the views of women held by Enlightenment thinkers.She argued that if the Enlightenment was based on the idea that reason is in all human beings, then women should be equal with men. She was the impetus for the later feminist revolution. -
Condorcet wrote 'The Progress of the Human Mind'
His work dealt with theoretical thought on perfecting the human mind and analyzing intellectual history based on social arithmetic. It showed the shift to more secular ways of thinking and trusting more in science and reason.
