The Enlightenment Spreads Mr. Morris World History

Key Terms Ch. 22.3 pg. 636 Salon Baroque Neoclassical Enlightened despot Catherine the Great

Setting the Stage Enlightenment views got those who spoke them in lots of trouble Despite the possibility of jail or exile, ideas from the Enlightenment spread throughout Europe These views influenced everything from art to the royalty who ran countries

A World of Ideas During the 1700s, Paris was the capital of Europe Young people from all over the Continent and from the Americas went their to study In the living rooms of rich women in Paris, salons were hosted Many bright and intelligent people met to discuss ideas These salons helped to spread Enlightenment ideas

Diderot’s Encyclopedia Denis Diderot published a large set of books with a collection of writings from scholars all over Europe called Encyclopedia Banned by the Catholic Church and the French government The Encyclopedia spread Enlightenment ideas to literate people all over Europe Those who liked the ideas were able to buy books and support artists

Neoclassical Style Emerges Prior to the Enlightenment, baroque had been the style of art popular in Europe Grand, ornate designs This style began to change under the Enlightenment Simple style that borrowed from classical Greece and Rome – neoclassical (“new classical”)

Changes in Music and Literature Music had been dominated by dramatic music using organs and choruses During the Enlightenment, this changed to a much lighter style led by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven Novels emerged during the Enlightenment People enjoyed their examination of the characters’ thoughts and feelings Entertaining, written in everyday language Many women authored popular novels

Enlightenment and Monarchy Eventually, Enlightenment ideas made it to royal courts Enlightenment thinkers thought that the best government was run by a monarch who respected the rights of their people Rulers made changes to their rule but had no plans of giving up any of their power

Frederick the Great Frederick II was king of Prussia Granted religious freedoms, reduced censorship, improved education, reformed the justice system, abolished torture Believed that serfdom was wrong, but never abolished it – needed support of landowners Main goal was to serve and strengthen his country – appealed to Enlightenment thinkers

Joseph II Joseph II was king of Austria Freedom of the press, freedom of worship (Protestants included), abolished serfdom and demanded peasants be paid in cash for their labor Most nobles did not agree with these changes, and they were reversed after Joseph’s death

Catherine the Great Catherine II ruled Russia – most admired by the Enlightenment thinkers Formed a commission to develop religious toleration and abolish torture and the death penalty None of this was ever accomplished by the commission Eventually implemented limited reforms Changed after a serf uprising in 1773 Realized she needed support of nobles to keep her throne, did not abolish serfdom

Catherine Expands Russia After solidifying her power by backing nobles, Catherine looked to make her country bigger Fought some wars to gain access to water routes Broke up Poland, took the majority of it into Russia By the end of Catherine’s reign, Russia was becoming a world power