The impact of enlightenment thought

3. THE IMPACT OF ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT -

NEW ECONOMIC THEORIES Enlightnement ideas of freedom and equality had an influence on economic theory.

Enlightenment thinkers advocated less state intervention in the economy.

This principle gave rise to two economic theories: 1. Physiocracy - It was developed by a group of French economists, particularly by Franรงois Quesnay.

- He argued that land (agricultue and mining) was the primary source of wealth because it provides food and the raw materials for handicrafts.

- To develop agriculture, it was necessary to ensure private ownership of land and avoid state control over the economy.

2. Economic liberalism - It was first formulated by the British philosopher Adam Smith.

- He maintained that individual labour is the true source of wealth, because self-interest motivates people to maximise their own gain.

- To create wealth, market exchanges should be free. They should be ruled only by the supply of products and consumer demand.

3. THE IMPACT OF ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT ENLIGHTNEMENT DESPOTISM - In the 18 th century, a few European absolutist monarchs accepted some Enlightenment principles.

- They adopted the goal of economic and cultural progress but rejected its political ideas.

- Their philosophy was “Everything for the people, nothing by the people”.

- The most important of these monarchs were Frederick II of Prussia, Catherine II of Russia, Joseph II of Austrian and Carlos III of Spain.

- These monarchs are known as enlightened despots: • “ Enlightened “ because: – They focused on economic and cultural modernisation.

– They promoted agriculture, industry nd trade.

– They carried out major public works, and also founded new schools and academies.

• “Despots” because: – They continued to impose strict absolutism, denying political decisión-making power to their subjects.

3. THE IMPACT OF ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES - The first place where the political ideas of freedom and equality of the Enlightenment had a practical application was in the Thirteen colonies held by Great Britain on the east coast of North America.

- British colonists had first settled in North America in 1607.

- The spread of new ideas during he Enlightenment prompted colonists to consider the British government despotic.

3. THE IMPACT OF ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT - Boston Tea Party (1773) - Relations between the colonies and the mother country became more and more tense.

- The main source of conflictowere the taxes imposed by the British Parliament, where the colonists had no representation.

- In 1773, a group of colonists threw an entire shipment of tea aboard British ships into Boston Harbour.

- The British response was severe.

- War of Independence (1775- 1783) - In 1775, armed hostilities broke out between the colonies and the British.

- In 1776, the Thirteen Colonies issued their Declaration of Independence, base don liberal ideological principles.

-Following a long war, Great Britain acknowledged the United States of America as a sovereign nation at the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

3. THE IMPACT OF ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT CONSTITUTION -The new nation has to establish a system of government.

- Delegates from the states met in Philadelphia to draft the Constitution.

- This document contains the political ideas of the Enlightenment: -

National sovereignty Separation of powers Suffrage Individuald rights and liberties.