Chap. 17 The Scientific Revolution!

Background… During the Medieval times, scientists did not make observations of the natural world – had relied mostly on Aristotle for their knowledge. A number of changes occurred that caused these philosophers to look at new ways to explain the world around them:

I.A revolution in Astronomy! A.The Ptolemaic System: 1. Ptoley, who lived in the 2 nd century was the greatest astronomer to date. - many had constructed a model of the universe known as the Ptolemaic system – this system is called geo centric because it places EARTH at the center of the universe!

2. In the Ptolemaic system, the universe is a series of spheres that are one inside the other. – The earth is motionless in the center – the spehres are thought to be orbs of light – The moon is embeded in the first sphere – Mercury in the 2 nd, and so on.

B. Copernicus and Kepler: 1. In 1542, Nicholas Copernicus published a famous book – “On the REVELATIONS OF THE Heavenly Spheres” – a mathematician, felt this geocentric system was too complicated – believed HIS “heliocentric” – or sun-centered concept of the universe made more sense.

2. Argued that the SUN, not the EARTH was at the center of the universe – The planets, revolved around the sun – HOEVER, the Moon revolved around the earth. 3. Also, Copernicus believed that the “Sun moving around the earth” theory was actually just the earth ROTATING on its axis – and it took the earth ONE YEAR to journey around the sun.

Kepler takes it a step further… 4. Johannes Kepler confirmed that the sun was at the center and added new information – showed that the orbits of the planets around the Sun were NOT circular orbs – but were egg-shaped – known as Keplers First Law.

II. Galileo More questions needed to be answered – what were the planets made of? Is there motion in the universe? 1.Italian scientist – Galileo created the telescope – found there were mountains on the moon!! – there was actual substance to these “orbs of light”. 2.Discoveries were published in the “Starry Messenger”

His findings made the church mad – why? 3.Church ordered Galileo to abandon is Copernican ideas – threatened the Churches' entire concept of the universe because it conflicted with the bible. 4. Many were now agreeing with these throes – but the question of MOTION in the universe had not been answered…

III. Newton 1.Sir Isaac Newton, an Englishman, defined 3 laws of motion that governed how the planetary bodies work – important to his ENTIRE work was the universal law of gravitation – this explains why planetary bodies don’t move in straight lines but revolve about the sun – the force that does this is gravity.

IV. The Scientific Method 1.During the Scientific Revolution, people became concerned about how to best understand the physical world (Physics). 2.The result was the scientific method – a systematic procedure for collecting and looking at evidence – this method is very important to science 3.Francis Bacon, believed that instead of relying on ideas by ancient authorizes – scientists would use inductive reasoning..(Whats that?)

4. Scientists should use systematic and carefully organized experiments to test theories.

Section 2 – The Enlightenment! I.Path to Enlightenment 1.Was a movement of intellectuals who were greatly impressed with the Scientific Revolution. 2.Believed they could apply scientific method to understand all life and how it works.

3. Influenced the most by 2 men –Isaac Newton and John Locke: a. To Newton, geophysical world was like a machine and he wanted to discover the laws that controlled it. b. John Locke argued that everyone is born with a tabula rasa, or a “blank mind” – and people are molded by the experiences of their surrounding world.

II. The Philosphes and Their Ideas: 1.The intellectuals of the Enlightenment were known as philosophes – most were French – believed the role of philosophy was to change the world. Who were these philosophers?

A.Montesquieu: 1.Identified 3 basic kinds of governments: a. Republics – good for small states b. despotism – good for LARGE states or countries. c. Monarchies – suitable for medium states He believed a government should function through a separation of powers: Executive – Legislative Judicial

B. Voltaire: 1. Greatest figure of the Enlightenment was known simply as “Voltaire” – believed in something called deism – believed a mechanic (God) created the universe – and the universe was like a clock – God was the clockmaker – set the universe in motion and will allow it to run without his interference – it will run according to its own natural laws.

Section 3 – The Impact of Enlightenment! What types of impact did the Enlightenment have on culture? A.The Arts 1.The Baroque and neoclassical styles had dominated Europe for many years – however, a new artistic style – rococo – began to spread all over Europe.

2. Unlike Baroque which had expressed grandeur and and power – rococo expressed grace, elegance and charm. – Delicate colors were used.

B. Music 1.The 18 th century was one of the greatest periods for music EVER to happen in Europe. 2 composers – Johann Sebastian Bach and George Handel stood out as musical geniuses. 2. Bach composed his Mass in B Minor and other works that would give him this reputation. 3. Handel was also German – his Messiah had been called a “rare work” that appealed to almost anyone that listened.

3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was truly a child prodigy – wrote passionate, exciting music

II. The Enlightenment and Enlightened Absolutism 1.Now, enlightenment thought had an effect on the political life of Europe for a long time – such as natural rights for people – freedom of religion. 2.Many agreed on a new type of absolutism – enlightened absolutism – rulers now tried to govern with enlightenment principles and STILL maintain absolute power.

Did Europe's rulers, however, actually follow the advice and do this? To answer that question, we can examine 3 states – Prussia, Austria and Russia. A.Prussia: 1.Frederick II (Or Frederick the Great) was one of the best educated and cultured kings – well versed in ideas of enlightenment. 2.Enlarged his army – abolished use of torture – granted limited freedom of the press and speech – but kept a rigid social structure.

B. The Austrian Empire 1.Empress Maria Therese of Austria was NOT open to philosophers – but did work hard to make the lives of serfs better in her country. 2.Her son, however, was the opposite – Joseph II – abolished serfdom, eliminated the death penalty and established religious toleration – however, it didn’t go over very well  3.His nobles were angry for making serfs equal to them – these policies were way too drastic for the times

C. Russia under Catherine the Great 1.Catherine the Great ruled Russia - was highly intelligent and was familiar with the enlightenment movement – wanted to recognize equality among most – however, she knew she needed support from nobles – she upset many peasants and serfs in Russia – but did expand her territory. 2.Of all of the rulers – only Joseph II truly wanted radical changes

3. The philosophers condemned was as a foolish waste of life and resources – but it still wouldn't stop wars in Europe – rulers found it a struggle to maintain power AND make their people happy. Speaking of Wars..

LETS REIVIEW 1. What was the new type of architecture introduced after Baroque? 2. Who were some of the musical “geniuses” coming out of Europe? 3. How did rulers want to rule differently because of the enlightenment? 4. What ruler wanted drastic changes? 5. Who ruled Russia during this time period?

The War in North America! Turn to pg. 534 – section 3 of Chap. 17 The War in North America! 1.What 2 countries were originally fighting for land in North America? 2.What 2 primary areas did these 2 fight over? 3.Who won the most land? What did the Treaty of Paris state?