Enlightenment Ideas Spread Dr. Matthew’s World History

New Ideas Challenge Society Enlightenment ideas quickly spread from France across the rest of Europe People began to question established ideas such as class systems, divine right, and absolute monarchs. This dissent towards the social norms of the time was fought by governments and religions through restricting access to threatening ideas and information (censorship). Philosophes and writers got around censorship by criticizing society by deeming their work as fiction. Salons were informal social gatherings that allowed the upper and middle classes to discuss new ideas about art, religion, and society.

Arts & Literature Reflect New Ideas During the 1600s and 1700s the arts evolved to keep up with changing tastes of society. Louis XIV commissioned art to be produced in the huge, grand, and colorful baroque style. Religion and battles were often the themes of baroque artwork. Louis XV preferred less gaudy artwork. The delicate and elegant style he chose was called rococo. The subject matter tended to focus on nobles and rural settings. Composers created works in the classical format Popular with the growing middle class. The novel became popular due to it’s focus on present times and how easy it was to read A favorite of the new middle class.

Enlightened Despots Embrace New Ideas Enlightenment ideas were seen as a threat to absolute rule by some of European monarchs. Some absolute rulers sought to bring about political and social change. These leaders were called enlightened despots. Frederick the Great of Prussia He perceived himself as a servant of the people . He outlawed torture, granted freedom of speech to the press, and practiced religious tolerance. In the end his main focus was on attaining more power for himself. Catherine the Great of Russia She believed in the ideas of equality and freedom. She also abolished torture, criticized serfdom, granted nobles a charter of guaranteed rights, and practiced religious toleration.

Enlightened Despots Embrace New Ideas Maria Theresa of Austria Although she ruled as an absolute monarch, Maria Theresa worked to improve life for peasants. Her son Joseph II made more radical reforms and traveled in disguise to get a real look at society. He practiced religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and abolished serfdom. Enlightenment ideas did not change life for most Europeans . The majority of the continent’s population were peasants living in the countryside, away from cities where these ideas thrived.