The Impact of the Enlightenment Mr. White’s World History Class

Objectives After we’ve studied this section, we should be able to: After we’ve studied this section, we should be able to: Explain how Enlightenment beliefs were reflected in the art, music, and literature of the time Explain how Enlightenment beliefs were reflected in the art, music, and literature of the time Explain how Enlightenment thought impacted the politics of Europe in the eighteenth century Explain how Enlightenment thought impacted the politics of Europe in the eighteenth century

Architecture Architecture before the Enlightenment was often religious in nature Architecture before the Enlightenment was often religious in nature Architecture during and after the Enlightenment used lots of ornamentation, light, bright colors, and lots of detail to astound someone who was viewing it Architecture during and after the Enlightenment used lots of ornamentation, light, bright colors, and lots of detail to astound someone who was viewing it

Architecture

Art Previous art was in the baroque style Previous art was in the baroque style Religious or mythological scenes Religious or mythological scenes Great drama, rich colors, sharp lines Great drama, rich colors, sharp lines Used to evoke great emotion Used to evoke great emotion Art of the Enlightenment was rococo style Art of the Enlightenment was rococo style More playful, sometimes “naughty” themes More playful, sometimes “naughty” themes Softer colors, sometimes blurred Softer colors, sometimes blurred Themes of love Themes of love

Music Baroque music – before Baroque music – before One feeling throughout the entire piece, usually One feeling throughout the entire piece, usually Fairly constant level of energy Fairly constant level of energy Classical music – later Classical music – later Could pass through several different feelings in one piece Could pass through several different feelings in one piece Energy level could change throughout the piece Energy level could change throughout the piece

Literature The novel begins to appear in literature The novel begins to appear in literature People began to write more and more about the lives of regular people People began to write more and more about the lives of regular people More regular people begin to read – higher literacy More regular people begin to read – higher literacy

Enlightened Absolutism Philosophes had believed in natural rights for all people Philosophes had believed in natural rights for all people Equality before the law Equality before the law Freedom of religion Freedom of religion Freedom of speech Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom of the press Right to assemble, hold property, pursue happiness Right to assemble, hold property, pursue happiness

Enlightened Despots Most philosophes believed that people needed to be governed by enlightened rulers Most philosophes believed that people needed to be governed by enlightened rulers These enlightened rulers would allow their subjects to have the freedoms just listed These enlightened rulers would allow their subjects to have the freedoms just listed They would be fair to their subjects and work to hold up Enlightenment principles They would be fair to their subjects and work to hold up Enlightenment principles Not many really did this, though Not many really did this, though

Enlightened despots? Frederick II, or Frederick the Great of Prussia – well educated in the enlightenment, abolished torture, but didn’t really give people much freedom Frederick II, or Frederick the Great of Prussia – well educated in the enlightenment, abolished torture, but didn’t really give people much freedom Maria Theresa, Austria – tried to make life easier for peasants, but isn’t really open to the Enlightenment Maria Theresa, Austria – tried to make life easier for peasants, but isn’t really open to the Enlightenment Catherine the Great, Russia – didn’t really do much to make changes in her country Catherine the Great, Russia – didn’t really do much to make changes in her country

What if… Think about Hobbes, Locke, and other Enlightenment thinkers. Pretend you had been the ruler of a country in Europe at this time. Would you have listened to some of these Enlightenment ideas like freedom, equality, etc., or would you have ruled your people with ultimate power? As a ruler, is it better to be feared, or loved? Why? Think about Hobbes, Locke, and other Enlightenment thinkers. Pretend you had been the ruler of a country in Europe at this time. Would you have listened to some of these Enlightenment ideas like freedom, equality, etc., or would you have ruled your people with ultimate power? As a ruler, is it better to be feared, or loved? Why?