1. Causes of the Enlightenment Accelerated World History Mr. Bach

2. Cause #1: Renaissance Rebirth of learning that caused people to investigate and question ideas. Rebirth of learning that caused people to investigate and question ideas.

3. Cause #2: Protestant Reformation Questioned the spiritual authority of the Church. Questioned the spiritual authority of the Church. The Church will not be as great a threat to new ideas. The Church will not be as great a threat to new ideas.

4. Cause #3: Age of Exploration Need for new science and tech. to aid in exploration. Need for new science and tech. to aid in exploration. “New World” causes people to question the world as they know it. “New World” causes people to question the world as they know it.

5. Cause #4: Printing Press 1450 – Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press. 1450 – Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press. Allows ideas to spread much faster. Allows ideas to spread much faster.

6. Cause #5: Government Sponsors Allows scientists and philosophers to practice Allows scientists and philosophers to practice –Provide money –Provide protection

7. Cause #6: Educated Middle-Class More people are able to comprehend and digest the new ideas More people are able to comprehend and digest the new ideas