The 18th century: the Enlightenment
What is the Enlightenment?
important intellectual movement
new way of thinking
criticised the political and social structures of the Ancien Régime
principles thoughts
reason the only real source of knowledge
science and technological progressed
learning and teaching were essential
economic growth
improve people's wellbeing
equality and liberty were crucial
The encyclopedia
ideas were spread
created by D'Alembert and Diderot
Political ideas
In Spain
Jovellanos and the Conde de Floridablanca
wanted to
reverse the decline
promote Spain's economic, scientific and cultural development
established
schools and academies
published scientific and literary journals
special associations
Real Academia de la Lengua
sociedades económicas de amigos del país
public institutions were created
the Royal Botanical Gardens
wanted to abolish the estates system
Voltaire
Rousseau
Montesquieu
argued for the separation of powers
the legislative, executive and judicial branches
should be separate
favoured a strong monarchy
introduced the idea of popular sovereignty
power resided with the people
Economic ideas
rejected mercantilism
a new economic doctrine
physiocracy
the wealth of a nation derives from its natural resources
believed that
agriculture country's main source of wealth
craftsmanship and trade secondary activities
absolute monarchs, don't intervene in the economy
Economic liberalism
Based on the ideas of Adam Smith
The state
no intervene in the production or exchange of goods
economic liberals argued for
free trade
freedom of production for business owners
no restrictions
free competition
