Triumph of Reason Chapter #20:iii

Denis Diderot published a 35 volume encyclopedia summarizing all human knowledge up to that time.

Diderot hoped his Encyclopedia would bring about “a revolution in the minds of men to free them from prejudice.”

Although it included entries on many different subjects, Diderot’s Encyclopedia devoted the most space to articles on science and technology.

Diderot included diagrams that showed the latest advances in printing, medicine, and other fields.

The Roman Catholic Church and government censors banned the Encyclopedia in France because it was considered anti-religious

Voltaire

Montesquieu

Rousseau

Wealthy women held salons, or informal gatherings, where writers, musicians, and philosophers presented their works and exchanged ideas.

Through these salons, middle- class women such as Madame de Geoffrin helped shape the tastes and manners of the Enlightenment.

Other women, such as Louise Eléonore de la Tour du Pil Baronne de Warens, acted as patrons for artists and writers.

In Baronne de Warens’ case, she supported Rousseau and his family, so he could spend his full time writing.

Émilie, Marquise du Châtelet Laumont, became a noted physicist and mathematician who translated Newton’s work from Latin into French.

Enlightened Despots European monarchs who adopted policies they hoped would improve social and economic conditions in their countries

Austrian empress Maria Theresa passed laws to limit serfdom by controlling the amount of unpaid work one could be forced to do.

Emperor Joseph II of Austria abolished serfdom allowed freedom of the press banned the use of torture ended religious persecution

Catherine the Great made some effort to limit torture introduced religious toleration did nothing to end serfdom

Frederick the Great of Prussia introduced reforms allowing for religious freedom and encouraging elementary education.

Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the most important composers of the period, is best remembered for his religious works.

Manuscript of Bach's Passion of St. Matthew

Georg Friederich Handel is remembered best for oratorios such as the Messiah.

Austrian Franz Joseph Haydn was key in developing new musical forms such as trios, quartets, and the symphony.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ( ) prolific Baroque composer wrote over 600 musical pieces during his short life