1. The Scientific Revolution
What is a revolution?
The Scientific Revolution involved a series of profound changes in the way people thought about the world around them.
A major break from the past, the scientific Revolution took a leap away from the Greco-Roman models of learning and knowledge.

2. What did the Scientific Revolution Change?
Human understanding of the universe.
Techniques and systems for acquiring knowledge.
Medical treatment.
How people viewed authority.

3. Understanding the Universe
Up until the mid-1500s, people believed in the model of the solar system proposed by Ptolemy, an Ancient Greek astronomer.
Ptolemy proposed that the Earth was the center of the universe. All other planets and the sun revolved around Earth.

4. Changes in Astronomy
In 1543 Polish astronomer Nicolas Copernicus published a book detailing the movements of the “heavenly bodies.”
Copernicus questioned Ptolemy’s model of the universe.
Used mathematical calculations to determine that sun is the center and the earth and other planets and stars revolve around it.

5. Changes in Astronomy Many Europeans doubted Copernicus’ conclusions.
Others built on his theory.
Tycho Brahe- Danish astronomer whose detailed observations of the planets and stars supported Copernicus’ model.
Kepler- Brahe’s assistant. Analyzed mentor’s data.

6. Heliocentric Model
Copernicus, Brahe and Kepler all provided evidence that the Earth was a revolving body, rather than the fixed center.
This is the heliocentric model of the universe.

7. Galileo’s Controversy with the Catholic Church
Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei supported the heliocentric model with observations and measurements made using a telescope.
He observed sun spots, mountains on the Earth’s moon and four moons revolving around Jupiter.
Galileo was interrogated by the Inquisition. Catholic Church forced him to denounce the heliocentric model.

8. Why was Galileo targeted?
Why did scholars and Church officials attempt to discredit the heliocentric model?
- It contradicted the work of an Ancient thinker. The Renaissance had glorified Greek and Roman learning.
- Religion and common sense had indicated that Earth was the center.
- If one “truth” comes into question, all truth can be challenged.

9. Scientific Method
Though scholars and other authorities resisted change, new methods of acquiring knowledge about the world were developed in the 1600s.
Scientific method- Observe and collect data; Create a hypothesis; Experiment to test the hypothesis; Observe and record; Conclusion; Retest
Bacon- emphasized the scientific method. Knowledge results from long process of investigation.
Descartes- logic and reason as a means to solve problems and gain knowledge.

10. Isaac Newton Newton proposed a theory of gravity.
Used mathematics to show that the planets orbit around the sun due to a single force.
Also created laws of motion.
Newton believed that all of nature was governed by fixed laws. Through mathematical calculations, these laws could be discovered.

11. Chemistry and Medicine
Boyle- studied the effects of pressure and temperature on gas.
Vesalius- detailed book on the human anatomy.
Pare`- French doctor- created ointment to prevent infection of wounds; developed stitches.
Harvey- discovered that the heart acted as a pump.
Von Leeuwenhoek- improved the microscope and examined cells/microscopic organisms.

12. Effects
The advances of the Scientific Revolution prompted a major shift in perspective of Europeans.
Before the Revolution, many people assumed that truth was handed down from authorities such as religion, monarchy or the Ancient texts of Greek and Rome.
After, people were willing to see truth as the result of careful scientific examination and reasoning.
Questions challenge authority.