1. The Enlightenment Spreads
Chapter 6 Section 3
The Enlightenment Spreads

2. A World of Ideas 1700s Paris was full of ideas and culture
Wealthy women in Paris held gatherings in their homes
These gatherings became known as Salons
Scientists, Philosophers, writers, artists and intellectuals exchanged and discussed ideas

3. Denis Diderot
Marie-Therese Geoffirn helped finance a new set of books by Diderot
The books were collections of writings by Philosophers
The Encyclopedia helped spread the ideas of enlightenment
The Catholic Church & French government were angry with the books
Enlightenment ideas continued to spread through newspapers, pamphlets, & songs
The ideas really captured the attention of the middle class

4. New artistic styles
The enlightenment ideas were reflected in music, literature, painting, and architecture
Neoclassical style: art reflected the Greek & Roman styles
Baroque: art/architecture with grand, ornate designs
Versailles Palace is a good example of Baroque style

8. Music and Literature Bach & Handel had written dramatic music
Classical began during the enlightenment
Haydn, Mozart, & Beethoven became the greatest composers of the time period.

9. Music & Literature con’t…
18th century authors developed new styles of writing
Several wrote the first novels; lengthy works of fiction
The novels had deep plots, suspense, and explored the character’s thoughts and feelings
Very popular with the middle class
Samuel Richardson’s Pamela is considered the 1st English novel
Henry Fielding wrote Tom Jones which is considered another English masterpiece

10. Enlightenment & Monarchy
Many philosophes believed the monarchy was the best form of government
The tried to convince kings & queens to follow the ideas of enlightenment
Enlightened Despots: monarchs who embraced the ideas of enlightenment
Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick the Great)
Wanted to reform Prussia
Granted religious freedom, reduced censorship
Reformed the justice system & abolished torture
Believed serfdom was wrong, but needed the support of the wealthy landowners, so did nothing to change serfdom

11. Enlightened Despots con’t…
Joseph II of Austria:
Legal reforms & freedom of the press
Granted freedom of religion
He abolished serfdom and said the peasants should be paid cash for their labor
Nobles firmly resisted this change
Most of his reforms were undone when he died in 1790

12. Enlightened Despots con’t…
Catherine the Great of Russia:
Sought to create some reforms in Russia, but still had absolute authority
She created a commission to review Russia’s laws
She wanted religious freedom, to abolish torture, and remove capital punishment
None of these goals were reached
She did implement some limited reforms, but none that really improved the lives of the peasants
1773: the serfs attempted an uprising and Catherine sent the army to crush it

13. Enlightened Despots con’t…
Catherine then realized she needed the nobles to maintain control in Russia and granted them absolute power over the serfs
Russian Expansion
Gain control over the straits leading to the Black Sea from the Ottoman Empire
1772: split Poland with Austria and Prussia
When her reign ended Russia was on the verge of becoming an international power