1. The Enlightenment and the American Revolution
Section 2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread
New Ideas Challenge Society
While churches and monarchies tried to stop the flow of Enlightenment ideas through censorship, Enlightenment thinkers found new ways of spreading their ideas, such as through novels and salons.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does historian Isaac Kramnick describe Mozart’s opera? (triumph of light over darkness, of sun over moon, of day over night) “How does Mozart’s The Magic Flute illustrate the ideas of the Enlightenment?” (It illustrates reason triumphing over passion.)
Arts and Literature Reflect New Ideas
The Enlightenment saw the birth of new styles in art, music, and literature. Painters embraced the lighter and more informal rococo style; composers, too, moved away from the baroque and into rococo and classical music. This was evidenced in the works of Handel, Haydn, and Mozart. In literature, the novel was king as audiences devoured long stories about their own times.
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2. The Enlightenment and the American Revolution
Section 2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread
Enlightened Despots Embrace New Ideas
Some absolute rulers of the time adopted limited reforms inspired by Enlightenment ideas. For instance Frederick II of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Joseph II of Austria all showed religious tolerance. Still the monarchs were not willing to share their power.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does historian Isaac Kramnick describe Mozart’s opera? (triumph of light over darkness, of sun over moon, of day over night) “How does Mozart’s The Magic Flute illustrate the ideas of the Enlightenment?” (It illustrates reason triumphing over passion.)
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3. The Enlightenment and the American Revolution
Section 2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread
Lives of the Majority Change Slowly
It wasn’t until the late 1700s that Enlightenment ideas spread through Europe’s peasant classes. In time, these ideas, in combination with war and economic troubles, would bring the masses to revolt.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does historian Isaac Kramnick describe Mozart’s opera? (triumph of light over darkness, of sun over moon, of day over night) “How does Mozart’s The Magic Flute illustrate the ideas of the Enlightenment?” (It illustrates reason triumphing over passion.)
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4. The Enlightenment and the American Revolution: Section 2
Note Taking Transparency 121A
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5. The Enlightenment and the American Revolution: Section 2
Note Taking Transparency 121B
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