Voltaire

1
Voltaire

• The Philosophical Dictionary 1764
• Christianity under attack
• Favored Deism
• Candide
• Fanaticism, danger of religion

2
Baron de Montesquieu

• The Spirit of the Laws 1748
• Comparative study of politics compared France
  and England
• Impressed with political freedom in Britain
• Separation of power
• Aristocracy is balance against royal abuse

3
Denis Diderot

• Encyclopedia 28 volumes 1752-1772
• Religion was probed , science was at the core
• Civil rights, freedom of expression, rule of law
• Government endorsed absolute monarchy
• revolution in the minds of men to free them from
  prejudice

4
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Started as a novelist
• Basis of morality was conscience not reason
• The Social Contract 1762 a government distinct
  over whom it claims to exercise authority has no
  validity
• Each citizen takes part, consensus not majority
  rule general will

5
Adam Smith

• An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the
  Wealth of Nations 1776
• Laissez faire free enterprise would create
  more wealth than regulation
• Tariffs, guild restrictions, and mercantilist
  restraints obstruct economic activity
• Natural laws competition, supply and demand

6
Culture of the Elite 18th Century

• French is international language
• Public plazas, gardens, theatres, opera houses
• Grand Tours
• Republic of Letters salons, Masonic Lodges
• Learned Academies conduit for science and
  philosophy e.g. Lunar Society GB

7
Literature/Journals

• Periodicals more common
• Periodicals often had specific targets e.g. The
  Female Spectator Eliza Haywood
• Daily newspapers London Chronicle, often had to
  fight censorship
• Novels romantics, gossip, pornography often
  popular French tried to ban pornography
  unsucessful

8
More literature

• Modern Novel to satisfy middle class reading,
  often realistic social contexts e.g. Tom Jones
• Poetry changed to Romanticism William
  Wordsworth
• Art began to become more realistic e.g. William
  Hogwarth social commentator
• Neo-classical at times

9
Education in 18th Century

• Religion increases literacy
• England 60 Male 40 Female
• Education maintain social order ? Value of
  education for peasants, laborers
• Most elementary schooling required tuition
• Habsburgs in Eastern Europe tried to promote
  schools, teachers
• Children literature John Newbery 1713-67)

10
Nobility

• 18th century money coming from holding of state
  offices
• Landed wealth
• Multiple residences country homes
• Conspicuous consumption

11
Drink and be Merry?

• Middle class coffee houses
• Taverns working class
• Sunday and Monday
• Wine luxury unless watered down
• Gin the poor persons drink, govt. excise tax
• Wine and beer nutritional
• Not to be confused with dark bars drinking was
  part of society and not always abused
• Gin Acts in England