Enlightenment and Revolution 1550-1789 Ch 22

Throughout history, how have people reacted to new ways of thought?

Scientific Revolution Scientific Revolution- new way of thinking about the natural world How did people explain natural phenomena before the scientific revolution?

Causes of the Scientific Revolution

Reformation People first began to challenge accepted ways As people questioned their religion they began to challenge other accepted beliefs about the world

Heliocentric Model Geocentric Model – sun revolves around the earth Proposed by Aristotle and Ptolemy Christianity taught that God placed the earth in the middle of the universe

Heliocentric Model Heliocentric Model – earth revolves around the sun First suggested by Copernicus Proven mathematically by Kepler Observed and published by Galileo

Scientific Method Scientific Method- logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas Developed by Bacon and Descartes

Law of Gravity Isaac Newton- English scientist who explained the laws of motion and gravity

The Enlightenment in Europe

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

Two Views on Government

Social Contract Thomas Hobbes- book Leviathon (1651) All humans are naturally selfish and wicked Social Contract- idea that people had to hand over their rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law and order

Locke’s Natural Rights John Locke- philosopher whose beliefs are the foundation of modern democracy People are reasonable and can learn from experience Natural Rights- belief that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and property. The purpose of government is to protect these rights. Ideas are fundamental to the US Declaration of Independence

Philosophes The Enlightenment reached its height in France in the mid-1700s Philosophes- French for philosophers, believed that reason could be applied to all aspects of life and not just science

Voltaire Voltaire- French philosopher who fought for tolerance, reason, religious freedom, and freedom of speech “I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it” Ideas used in US Bill of Rights and French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Montesquieu Montesquieu- French writer who proposed separation of power in government. His ideas would later be known as checks and balances Separation of power used in France, US, and Latin American nations constitutions

Rousseau Rousseau- philosopher who was committed to individual freedom “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains” Legitimate government comes from consent of the governed

Beccaria Beccaria- Italian philosopher who believed that laws were meant to preserve social order, not punish criminals Ideas are used in the US Bill of Rights

Mary Wollstonecraft Mary Wollstonecraft- argued for women’s rights Fought for equal education

Effects of the Enlightenment Theories of Enlightenment thinkers eventually led to the American and French Revolutions Belief in Progress-growth of scientific knowledge quickened More Secular Outlook- non-religious outlook Importance of the Individual-people looked for guidance in themselves instead of the church or royalty

Spread of Enlightenment Ideas

World of Ideas Ideas of the Enlightenment spread quickly around the world Encyclopedias, newspapers, pamphlets, books

New Artistic Ideas Neoclassical style Changes in music and literature Beethoven Bach Handel

Enlightenment and the Monarchy Enlightened Despots- absolute rulers who supported the ideas of the Enlightenment Frederick the Great- king of Prussia from 1740-1786 who granted many religious freedoms, reduced censorship, and improved education Catherine the Great- ruled Russia from 1762-1796, sought to reform Russia by allowing religious toleration, abolishing torture and capital punishment. Vastly expanded the Russian empire

American Revolution French and Indian War- 1754-1763, war between England in France fought in the American colonies. To pay off war debt the British levied taxes on the colonists Stamp Act- taxes passed by the British on all printed materials in the colonies that led to American outrage April 19, 1775 Lexington and Concord

Influence of the Enlightenment Colonist used Enlightenment ideas to justify independence Declaration of Independence is based on the ideas of Locke

How did the colonists win? Motivation Overconfident British generals Time Help from France

Federal System Federal System- political system in which power is divided between state and national government Checks and Balances- each branch of government has power over the other two Bill of Rights- guarantees the rights of the people, protects the people from the government

Importance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights Mark a turning point in people’s ideas about government Ideas of the American Revolution spread around the world