Chapter+17+notes

As we read, it would be appreciated if everyone would post their own notes.

Section 1:
1) Thomas Hobbes and John Locke- two 17th century english thinkers with ideas to become key to the enlightenment. Montesqieu-studied governments of Europe from Italy to England. Voltair- most famous philosophy names Francois-Marie Arout. Jean Jacques Rousseau- believed people in their natural states were basically good. Laisssez Faire- policy/allows businesses to operate with little or not government interferences. Adam Smith- admired physiocrats/ people who supported free trade. opposed to tariffs.
 * Gabby's Notes**

2)The effects of Enlightenment would be to be taken out of the ‘brutish‘ life. People were entered into a social contract, signing away freedoms for an organized society. 3)Scientific Revolutions contributed to the Enlightenment by transforming the way people looked at Europe. Natural laws were thought of and discovered.

4) Philosophers applied methods of science to understand and improve society. 5)Natural economic laws were rules discovered with reasoning and policy of laissez let businesses operate with little or no government interferences. I honestly can’t see the connection between the two except for maybe they both have to do with governing.

-Edward Jenner developed a vaccine against smallpox.1700s. -In the 1700’s people started gaining knowledge in europe. This was the scientific revolution, which led to another revolution of thinking known as the Enlightenment.Immanuel Kant believed that the natural law could help explain aspects of humanity. -Hobbes believed that people were greedy and selfish and he claimed that to escape that “brutish” life people entered into a social comtract, an agreement by which they gave up their freedom for a organized society. -Locke thought that people were reasonable and moral.He believed in natural rights.He believed that people should form governments to protect their rights.unlike hobbes he rejected absolute monarchy.
 * Bries Notes.**



In the 1700s, people started to expand knowledge in Europe. Things such as the vaccine for smallpox, developed by Edward Jenner. This strive for knowledge was started with the Scientific Revolution of the 1500s and 1600s.
 * Ben's Notes**

Natural laws, or rules discoverable by reason (such as the rules that control gravity and magnetism), made people think to study things like human behavior to solve problems in society.

Thomas Hobbe’s conclusion- people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish and needed to be strictly controlled to have an organized society. His idea to solve this was for people to enter a social contract, where people give up their freedom for an orderly society. Supported an absolute monarchy.

John Locke’s conclusion- people are basically reasonable and moral. Believed in natural rights, rights that every human being is born with. Supported a limited government that was excepted by all citizens. Believed a government should be formed to protect natural rights. Ideas influenced leaders of the American Revolution.

philosophes- thinkers that believed the use of reason could lead to reforms of government, law, and society.

Baron de Montesquieu studied past and present governments throughout Europe and Chinese and Native American cultures. Felt the best government was one with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial, each with checks and balances. Voltaire was a strong supporter of freedom of speech. His works were outlawed and was forced into exile for offending the French government and the Catholic Church.

Denis Diderot made a 28-volume set of books called the Encyclopedia which was written in the purpose of changing the general way of thinking. Included articles from Montesquieu and Voltaire, which went against slavery and supported freedom of speech and education for all.

Rousseau thought there were too many restrictions on society. Believed in limited government and only freely elected government could impose minimal restrictions.

Philosophes said women had “limited” natural rights.

Physiocrats focused on economic reforms. Opposed mercantilism, and tariffs. Supported the laissez faire (allowed business with little or no gov. interference) and free trade.

Adam Smith argued that a free market should be allowed to regulate business activity.

Section 3:
Britain wanted to expand it’s monarchy.
 * Ben's Notes**

Reasons for Britain’s global prominence: - Location placed England in a position to control trade. England offered a climate favorable to business and commerce. In the 1700’s, Britain was on the winning side in European conflicts. England’s territory was expanding.

In 1760, George III started his 60-year reign. He set out to reassert royal power.

Colonies formed along eastern coast of North America. They were part of Britain’s growing empire.

By the mid-1700‘s, the colonies were home to various religions and ethnic groups. Wealthy landowners and merchants dominated government. Colonial assemblies exercised control over local affairs and there was a lot of free discussion in politics.

Britain’s treasury was drained from the Seven Years’ War and the French and Indian War, so Parliament passed the Sugar Act in 1764 and the Stamp Act in 1765. The Sugar Act imposed import taxes, and the Stamp Act imposed taxes on newspapers and pamphlets.

Colonist thought they shouldn’t be taxed since they didn’t have a representative in Parliament. Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, but the Declaratory Act was passed.

Colonists Rebelling March 1770, Boston Massacre December 1773, Boston Tea Party

As tensions increased, representatives from each country gathered in Philadelphia in a Continental Congress.

April 1775- The American Revolution started in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Soon a Continental Army was formed, with George Washington in command.

1776- The Second Continental Congress decided to declare independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence reflected John Locke’s ideas of the government’s duty to protect the people’s natural rights; life, liberty, and property. Also had Locke’s idea of popular sovereignty.

July 4, 1776- American leaders adopted the Declaration of Independence and pledged to create and protect the United States of America.

At first it didn’t look good for America. Britain had a large, trained army, huge fleets, and more resources. One third of the American population were Loyalists. There were many who were neutral. America lacked military sources, money for the military, and didn’t have a strategic plan.

Colonists Advantages They were familiar with the geography. Had a strong leader. (George Washington) Determination

British tried to make alliances with the colonies, like some Indians, and offered freedom slaves willing to help Britain.

1777- American victory in the Battle of Saratoga persuaded France to support the colonies.

France provided supplies, trained soldiers, and French warships.

1781- the French fleet blockaded the Chesapeake Bay, and Washington was able to force the British army to surrender in Yorktown, Virginia.

1783- Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the independence of the United States of America.

The Articles of Confederation wasn’t strong enough to rule the United States effectively, so, in 1787, the nation’s leaders met in secret to redraft the articles of the new constitution.

The Framers observed the ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. While making the new articles. And included their ideas into the Constitution.

The Constitution formed a federal government. (Three branches)

Jacob's Notes Birth of the American Republic On the eve of the American Revolution, Britain was a formidable foe whose power stretched throughout the world. In addition, a new ruler sought to expand the monarchy. Britain Becomes a Global Power There are several key reasons for Britain’s rise to global prominence: Location placed England in a position to control trade. In the 1500s and 1600s English merchants sent ships over the oceans and planted outpost into the west. From these tiny settlements, England would build a global empire. England offered good climate to business and commerce. In 1700s Britain was on the winning side in the European conflicts. With the Treaty of Utrecht, France gave Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to Britain. In the end of the French and Indian War and seven Year’s War brought Britain all of French Canada.