Ch. 22: Enlightenment and

RevolutionSec. 1: The Scientific Revolution

Renaissance

1300 – 1600 – the Renaissance – the re-birth of art and learning, prompted scholars to question ideas that had been accepted for many years

Reformation – During that same period, accepted ideas about religion were also challenged

Before 1500 – scholars generally accepted old Greek and Roman ideas.

The Universe

Geocentric Theory – The belief that the earth was the center of the universe and the moon and sun revolved around it.

Aristotle – A 4th century philosopher who came up with that idea.

The church also taught that the earth was the center of the universe

Aristotle

Scientific Revolution – Began in the mid-1500’s. It was a new way of thinking about the natural world and it questioned many old beliefs

The age of European exploration led scientists to seek more information about mathematics and astronomy. This would help with navigation.

Astronomy

Heliocentric theory – The idea that the sun and not the earth is the center of the universe and the moon and planets, including earth, revolve around it.

Astronomy

Nicolas Copernicus – A 16th century Polish astronomer that first put this idea forth. His work was expanded after his death.

Astronomy

Galileo – An astronomer that built his own telescope to better examine far off objects. His work supported that of Copernicus.

Because these ideas contradicted church teachings, Galileo was forced to sign a confession stating that Copernicus’ teachings were false

Scientific Method

Scientific method – Began to be used by scientists of the day

1. Problem or question 2. Hypothesis 3. Experiment 4. Conclusion

Math

Renee Descartes – A French researcher who developed analytical geometry as a link between algebra and geometry. He encouraged scientists to doubt everything until proven by reason.

Quote

He often stated that The only thing he knows for sure is his own existence – “I think therefore I am.”

Newton

Isaac Newton – An English researcher who put forth new ideas about motion. He believed that the same physical laws governed motion both an earth and in the heavens.

Scientists all over the world began to contribute to new discoveries and inventions

Discoveries

Zacharias Janssen (Dutch) – microscope Anton van Leeunhoek (Dutch) – used a microscope to examine bacteria

for red blood cells for the first time. Evangelista Torricelli (Italian) – barometer to measure atmospheric

pressure and predict weather Gabriel Fahrenheit (German) – thermometer Anders Celsius (Swedish) – created a scale for the mercury thermometer Andreas Vesalius (Flemish) – dissected the human body to learn the

structure of human bones, muscles, and organs Edward Jenner (British) – first inoculation Robert Boyle – founder of modern chemistry

Ch. 22 Sec. 2: The Enlightenment in

Europe

Enlightenment and the Age of reason

Hobbs

Enlightenment – A new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems

Also called The Age of Reason. It reached its height in the mid 1700’s

Social Contract

Thomas Hobbs – believed that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked and we need a strong government to keep order

“Without a government to keep order there would be war…of every man against every man. Life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

Social Contract – Hobbs believed that in order to escape such a bleak life people had to hand over their rights to a strong ruler. In exchange they would get law and order

He supported the absolute monarchy

John Locke

John Locke – Believed in self-government. All people are born free and equal with natural rights: life, liberty, and property

If government fails to protect these rights the people have the right to overthrow it.

Voltaire

Voltaire – A French philosopher who used satire against the clergy, aristocracy, and the government

He made many enemies, was jailed, and even exiled to Great Britain. He fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech

Quote

“I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.” - Voltaire

Miscellaneous

Baron de Montesquieu – A French philosopher who believed in the separation of power in government. This led to a system of “checks and balances.”

This period also brought about changes for women. Ideas regarding women were still very outdated, believing that women should be educated to be “good wives and mothers” but not educated in the schooling sense.

Miscellaneous

Mary Wollstonecraft – Was a leader in pushing for education for women. She argued that with education women would become more virtuous and useful

Philosophers examined the ideas of Divine rights for monarchs, the union of church and state, and the existence of unequal social classes.

They believed all of these needed reform. They were reformers but not revolutionaries.

Effects of Enlightenment

Progress – Scientific knowledge led to discoveries in chemistry, biology, physics, and mechanics. It led to the belief that human reason could solve problems

A more secular outlook – People began to take a more secular or non-religious outlook. They questioned the teachings of the church which were based on mysteries

Importance of the individual – People began to turn away from the church and royalty for guidance and looked more to themselves

Ch. 22 Sec. 3: The Enlightenment

Spreads

Enlightenment

1700’s – Paris was the cultural capital of Europe. Many of the brightest minds in Europe and America came to study and discuss philosophy

Salons – A gathering of intellectuals to discuss ideas Many enlightenment views outraged the church and the

French government and many printed works were banned

“These views undermine royal authority, encourage a spirit of revolt, and fostered a moral corruption, irreligion, and unbelief.”

Salons

Miscellaneous

Some monarchs did embrace the ideas of enlightenment but they weren’t interested in giving up their power

Enlightened despot – Monarchs who embraced the new ideas and made the changes that reflected the enlightenment spirit

Freddy

Frederick the Great – King of Prussia from 1740 – 1786. He granted religious freedom, reduced censorship, and reformed the justice system. He also abolished torture.

He considered himself a servant of the state.

Joey

Joseph II – Ruler of Austria from 1780 – 1790. He introduced legal reforms and freedom of the press. He also supported freedom of worship, even for Jews

Cathy

Catherine the Great – She ruled Russia from 1762 – 1796. While she supported many reforms, very few were actually accomplished

She also expanded Russia’s land by winning a port on the Black Sea (from the Ottomans) and seizing land in Poland

Ch. 22 Sec. 4: The American Revolution

Trouble is a-brewin’

England’s colony in America was emboldened by Enlightenment ideas and decided to attempt to overthrow British rule and create their own nation

1770 – The population of the American colonies was just over 2 million

The colonies had a strong economy based on trade Eventually England passed laws that allowed the colonies to

trade only with England and no other European nations. Taxes on the colonists were high.

Even with the restrictions and taxes, the colonists and British did well economically and seemed to get along

Taxation

The French and Indian War – (1754-1763) – was eventually won by the British but at great financial cost. The British began to tax the colonists even more to help pay the war debt

The colonists claimed “taxation without representation” (oops…this belongs after “Stamp Act”

Let’s Party!

Stamp Act – essentially a tax on all printed materials. Printed materials would require a “stamp” that had to be paid for

The Boston Tea Party (1773) – to protest an import tax on tea, a group of colonists dumped a large load of British tea into Boston Harbor angering the British King George III

Declaration

In July 1776 the colonists issued the Declaration of Independence which was written by???

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

Miscellaneous

The document listed the abuses of King George III and ended with “The colonies are absolved of all allegiance to the British crown.”

Although the Americans seemed overmatched, several reasons explain their victory:

1. The Americans were more motivated since they were defending their homeland

2. British overconfidence led to several mistakes 3. Fighting a battle 3,000 miles from London was costly 4. Help from the French government and military

A New Nation

1781 – The American government creates the Articles of Confederation in which a republic is established. A republic is a government in which the people rule through elected officials.

Miscellaneous

Originally, the founding fathers wanted to create strong state governments with a weak national government. Soon this produced problems as the national government lacked the funds to operate

1787 – Through a long series of debates and compromise, the colonies created a new system of government.

To restrict the power of a single person or persons, the delegates created three separate branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive

Miscellaneous

This created a natural system of checks and balances The delegates also created the federal system in

which power is divided between national and state governments

The delegates signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787 but it had to be passed by 9 of the 13 colonies before it would become law. This prompted more debate especially over the strength of the national government

Bill of Rights

This debate created the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the constitution outlining citizens individual rights.

The constitution and Bill of Rights put Enlightenment ideas into practice.

THE END