European Enlightenment Notes
Overview
● Time of change and innovation: Advancements in science, technology, art, and
philosophy.
● Challenges to authority: People began questioning federalism and hereditary claims.
Key Thinkers and Ideas
John Locke
● Tabula Rasa: The idea that individuals are born as a blank slate. Identity and worth are
not determined by birth or social class.
● Natural Rights: Everyone has inherent life, liberty, and property rights.
● Equality: Being born into royalty doesn’t make one superior.
● Consent of the Governed: Governments must protect citizens' rights; if not, people
have the right to defend or overthrow it.
● Impact: Concepts like natural rights and consent of the governed are foundational to
modern constitutions.
Economic Changes
Enclosure Movements
● Allowed for private property ownership.
● Led to commercialized farming and the mass production of crops.
● Impact: Increased food supply supported population growth.
Urbanization
● Rapid growth of cities due to farmers relocating after losing work.
● Resulted in the mass production of cheap goods.
● Protoindustrialization: Early phase of industrialization that increased production and
provided income for peasants.
Overview
● Time of change and innovation: Advancements in science, technology, art, and
philosophy.
● Challenges to authority: People began questioning federalism and hereditary claims.
Key Thinkers and Ideas
John Locke
● Tabula Rasa: The idea that individuals are born as a blank slate. Identity and worth are
not determined by birth or social class.
● Natural Rights: Everyone has inherent life, liberty, and property rights.
● Equality: Being born into royalty doesn’t make one superior.
● Consent of the Governed: Governments must protect citizens' rights; if not, people
have the right to defend or overthrow it.
● Impact: Concepts like natural rights and consent of the governed are foundational to
modern constitutions.
Economic Changes
Enclosure Movements
● Allowed for private property ownership.
● Led to commercialized farming and the mass production of crops.
● Impact: Increased food supply supported population growth.
Urbanization
● Rapid growth of cities due to farmers relocating after losing work.
● Resulted in the mass production of cheap goods.
● Protoindustrialization: Early phase of industrialization that increased production and
provided income for peasants.
