THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Writing and publication of Leviathan

Dec 24, 1651

(1642–1651) France.
• Thomas Hobbes: wrote the book during the English Civil War.
o Hobbes book challenged philosophical and political knowledge.
o Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign.
o Many critics labeled Hobbes an atheist (although he was not).

Creation of English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

(1689) England
• Convention Parliament of England: restate the Declaration of Rights.
• John Locke: political thinker commonly known as the "Father of Liberalism" became very popular.
o Separation of powers.
o Limitation of the powers of the king and queen.
o Deals with constitutional matters and sets out certain basic civil rights.

Publication of Two Treatises on Government

Dec 24, 1690

(1690) England
• John Locke: published the Two Treatises.
• Robert Filmer: English political theorist who defended the divine right of kings.
o Intended to push forward the ideas of contract theory and natural rights:
o First Treatise attacks patriarchalism in the form of sentence-by-sentence refutation of Robert Filmer's Patriarcha.
o Second Treatise outlines Locke's ideas for a more civilized society based on natural rights and contract theory.

Publication of The Spirit of the Laws and determination of the political and social structure by the condition of the country

Dec 24, 1748

(1748) France
• Charles de Secondat (Baron de Montesquieu): French political philosopher published The Spirit of the Laws.
• Claudine Guérin de Tencin: French novelist that helps to write “l'esprit des lois”.
• Thomas Nugent: published in 1750 the first English translation.
o Is a treatise on political theory.
o Its influence outside France was aided by its rapid translation into other languages.
o In 1751 the Catholic Church added to its Index "List of Prohibited Books".

Publication of The Encyclopedia

Dec 24, 1751

(1751-1772) France
• Denis Diderot: French philosopher, writer, and contributor to the Encyclopédie.
• Jean Le Rond d'Alembert: French philosopher, co-editor of the Encyclopédie.
o Gave the idea that man possesses the capability to alter the conditions of human life.
o Constituted a demand of the intellectual community for a refinement of all of the branches of knowledge in reference to past and recent discoveries.
o Compilation of human knowledge to discredit theology as the basis.

Publication of The Social Contract, Emile and the effort to unite the liberty of the individual with the authority of the government.

Dec 24, 1762

(1762) France
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Francophone Genevan philosopher and writer. His political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution
o Theory about the best way to establish a political community in the face of the problems of commercial society.
o Helped inspire political reforms or revolutions in Europe, especially in France.
o Argued against the idea that monarchs were divinely empowered to legislate.

American Declaration of Independence is published

Dec 24, 1776

(1776) United States
• Thomas Jefferson: author of the Declaration of Independence
• George III: King of Great Britain and Ireland
o Was created to change the government structure and policy
o The Declaration justified the independence of the United States
o It was made to discuss human rights and sovereign History. (2009). Declaration of Independence. August 12, 2016, de A + E Networks Sitio web: http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence

War of American Independence is fought

Dec 24, 1776

(1775–1783) United States
• George Washington was the first President of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution.
o Armed conflict between Great Britain and thirteen of its North American colonies.
o The war had its origins in the resistance of many Americans to taxes imposed by the British parliament.
o The conflict gradually expanded into a world war with Britain combating France, Spain, and the Netherlands.

French Revolution begins

Dec 24, 1789

(1789-1799) France
• Napoleon Bonaparte: general in the French army
• Louis XVI: French king who was deposed during the French Revolution
• Marie-Antoinette: wife of King Louis XVI
o The Revolution overthrew the monarchy
o Unleashment of a wave of global conflicts
o Finished in a dictatorship under Napoleon Standford University. (2010). French Revolution Digital Archive. August 12, 2016, de Stanford University Libraries Sitio web: http://frda.stanford.edu/en/images

Napoleon crowns himself Emperor of France

Dec 24, 1804

(1804 –1815) France
• Napoléon Bonaparte: French military and political leader. One of the most controversial political figures in human history.
o In 1793, published a pro-republican pamphlet entitled Le souper de Beaucaire which gained him the support of Augustin Robespierre.
o Dominated European and global affairs, leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars.
o Won most of these wars, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe.