Passage 1: Europe Before and During the Enlightenment
1. What role did the Catholic Church play in Europe before the Enlightenment?
The Catholic Church had huge power over people's lives and influenced what everyone believed.
1. What did the philosophes believe guided the way people should live?
The philosophes believed there were universal rules based on reason that guided the way people should live.
1. What was Thomas Hobbes' main question about society?
Thomas Hobbes questioned the basis of social order.
1. What did John Locke challenge about the traditional power of kings?
John Locke challenged the idea that kings had a divine right to rule.
1. What did Baron de Montesquieu worry would result from too much power in one person's hands?
Baron de Montesquieu worried that too much power in one person's hands would lead to tyranny.
2. Why did people avoid challenging the beliefs taught by the Church?
People avoided challenging the Church's beliefs because if someone questioned its teachings, they could be called a heretic and even killed.
2. What idea challenged the traditional power of kings according to the philosophes?
The idea that natural laws gave everyone certain rights from birth challenged the traditional power of kings who claimed power from God.
2. What did Hobbes believe would happen without laws or social controls?
Hobbes believed that without laws or social controls, the world would be full of constant conflict, where life would be "nasty, brutish, and short."
2. What are the three natural rights Locke believed everyone is born with?
Locke believed everyone is born with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property.
2. How many branches of government did Montesquieu argue for, and what was their purpose?
Montesquieu argued for separating government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to check the others and limit abuse of power.
3. What type of governments were common in Europe before the Enlightenment?
Governments back then were absolute monarchies, where kings had total control and no one could challenge them.
3. What was one question the philosophes asked about natural law and institutions?
One question the philosophes asked was how well society's institutions, like governments and churches, matched up with these natural laws.
3. Why did Hobbes support the idea of an absolute monarchy?
Hobbes supported the idea of an absolute monarchy because without a strong authority, society would fall apart as people can't be trusted to make decisions that benefit everyone.
3. What did Locke say people can do if a government fails to protect their rights?
Locke said that if a government fails to protect these rights, people have the right to change it.
3. What did Voltaire believe was the only way to fight oppression?
Voltaire believed freedom of thought and expression was key to fighting oppression.
4. Who inspired scholars during the Enlightenment to question long-held beliefs?
Scholars were inspired by scientists like Galileo and Newton, who used observation and logic to figure things out.
4. What was one disagreement among the philosophes regarding government?
Some philosophes thought a strong king with absolute rule was necessary to keep order, while others believed people should have a voice in their government.
4. What was the purpose of governments according to Hobbes?
According to Hobbes, governments were created to protect people from their own bad instincts.
4. According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, what is the true basis of government?
According to Rousseau, government is an agreement among free people, where they give power to leaders in exchange for protection of their rights.
4. What practice did Cesare Beccaria oppose in his study of crime and punishment?
Cesare Beccaria opposed torture and the death penalty in his study of crime and punishment.
5. What did the philosophes debate as the best form of government?
The philosophes debated what the best form of government would be—one that protected people without taking away their freedoms.
5. How did Hobbes describe human nature in his observations?
Hobbes observed that humans are naturally cruel, selfish, and greedy, always wanting more power.
5. What happens if a government fails to respect people's rights, according to Rousseau?
If the government doesn't respect the people's will, it can be overthrown.
5. What did Voltaire famously say about free speech?
Voltaire famously said he would defend to the death someone's right to say something he disagreed with.