1. New Ideas challenge society
Educated people read Diderot’s Encyclopedia and pamphlets
Middle ages: accepted divine-right rule and strict class system
Age of Reason: ideas seemed unscientific and irrational
Enlightenment thinkers: just society ensure social justice and happiness

2. Censorship Gov’ts and churches sacred duty to defend old order
Used censorship against ideas of Enlightenment
Restricting access to ideas and information
Banned and burned books, imprisoned writers
Used salons to discuss new information
Informal social gatherings where ideas were exchanged

3. From Grandeur to Charm Arts evolved to meet changing tastes
Louis XIV-baroque style
Huge colorful full of excitement
Glorified historic battles
Lives of saints
Louis XV-rococo style
Moved away from religion
Lighter elegant and charming
Encourage imagination

4. Enlightenment inspires composers
Classical music developed
Ballets and operas performed at royal courts
Famous composers of the time period:
Johann Sebastian Bach (Toccata and Fugue in D Minor)
George Frideric Handel (Messiah)
Franz Joseph Haydn
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

5. Frederick II attempts reform
Enlightened despots absolute rulers used power to bring social and political change
King of Prussia ( )
Praised Voltaire’s work, invited French intellects to Prussia
Reduced use of torture
Allowed free press

6. Catherine the Great Empress of Russia (1762)
Exchanged letters with Voltaire and Diderot
Abolished torture
Established religious tolerance
Granted nobles charter of rights
Criticized institution of serfdom

7. Joseph II continues reform
Emperor of Austria
Continued work of Maria Theresa (mother)
Supported religious equality for Protestants and Jews in Catholic empire
Ended censorship with free press
Sold property of many monasteries
Abolished serfdom

8. Lives of majority change slowly
Serfdom still remained despite advances in western society
Culture changed slowly
Late 1700’s radical ideas about equality and social justice reached peasant villages
In 1800’s war and political upheaval transformed peasant life in Europe