CONTENT STATEMENT
Enlightenment ideas regarding human nature and society challenged religious authority, absolute rule and mercantilism.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The Enlightenment movement began in Europe and inspired change across the world. Enlightenment thinkers believed in the influence of nature and in human progress. Some suggested that humans were naturally good and by freely exercising reason, would act for the common good. This required freedom from the restraints of the government and the Church. Enlightenment ideas include:
- use of reason;
- education;
- social reforms;
- tabula rasa (blank slate); and
- natural rights (life, liberty, and property).
Enlightenment thinkers believed that natural laws guided social, political and economic systems and institutions and this idea became known as the social contract.
Philosophical thought during the Enlightenment impacted religion, government, and economics in Europe. This was a challenge to many of the Church’s doctrines and an increased focus on earthly as well as spiritual welfare. Challenges to the Church included:
- humanism;
- mercantilism; and
- laissez faire.
There was a shift from forms of government in which power was held by only one or few individuals to forms of government in which many have a say, both directly and indirectly. Enlightenment ideas promoted the belief in a social contract between the governed and their government. These shifts in ideas included:
- limited government;
- absolute rule;
- divine right; and
- separation of powers.
The mercantilist system was challenged due to a growing belief that natural laws could define an economic system including a free-market economy with limited, or laissez faire, government regulation.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Explain how religious authority, absolute rule, and mercantilism were challenged by the ideas of the Enlightenment.