Conditions in Europe 1) Catholic Church and Absolute Monarchs are strong 2) Crusades -> Renaissance leads to trade and cultural diffusion and Humanism

The Scientific Revolution ( 1500 – 1800 Age of Reason) A new way of thinking about the world develops based on observation and willingness to question assumptions Questioned Greco-Roman ideas Questioned Church teachings Use of scientific method and human intellect.

Galileo Supported Heliocentric Theory Used a telescope that he made Church did not like his ideas Put on trial, threatened with death Had to publicly deny his ideas

Copernicus Heliocentric Theory Sun is the center of the universe Planets revolve around the Sun

Newton Used math to prove the ideas of Copernicus and Galileo Called the force gravity, or that all objects fall towards Earth Said all of nature follows laws

Descartes Believed in the power of human reason

Francis Bacon and the Scientific Method The scientific method Observation and experimentation Testable hypothesis Sir Francis Bacon

Science and the Enlightenment Use of reason natural laws govern human behavior Apply the scientific method to solving the problems of society The Enlightenment rejected traditional ideas and supported a belief in human reason

What Was the Enlightenment? The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in Europe during the 18 th century that led to a whole new world view. New theories about government, philosophy, economics and religion.

Enlightenment Principles Religion, tradition, and superstition limited independent thought Accept knowledge based on observation, logic, and reason, not on faith Scientific and academic thought should be secular A meeting of French Enlightenment thinkers

According to the 18 th - century philosopher Immanuel Kant, the “motto” of the Enlightenment was “Sapere aude! Have courage to use your own intelligence!” (Kant, “What Is Enlightenment?” 1784) Immanuel Kant

Thomas Hobbes (1588– 1679) People are cruel greedy and selfish If not strictly controlled they would fight, rob and oppose each other The state of nature is cruel

John Locke More optimistic view of human nature All people had natural or unalienable rights The rights of life, liberty and property Gov’t’s power should be limited Should protect natural rights/ if not had a right to rebel Influenced the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution

Voltaire (1694–1778) Championed social, political, and religious tolerance Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, toleration, use of reason “ I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it” His ideas found In the US Constitution except the abolition of slavery.

Baron de Montesquieu Separation of Powers Three branches of gov’t Legislative, judicial, and executive branches System of checks and balances/each branch will keep the other from getting too powerful US Constitution Separation of powers would prevent tyranny “Power Should be a check to Power”

Jean Jacques Rousseau “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains” Civilization corrupted man’s natural goodness/ ‘General will’ of the people creates a society/direct democracy Wrote the “Social Contract” Majority should work for the common good

The U.S. Constitution Separation of powers Checks and balances Bill of Rights Painting depicting the Constitutional Convention

Impact of the Enlightenment People have confidence that human reason can solve social problems A more secular outlook emerges as scientific thinking replaces superstition, fear and intolerance The individual becomes more important as people use their own ability to reason and judge

Impact of the Enlightenment Governments and the Church did not like the ideas of the Enlightenment and many books were burned and scholars tortured and killed Influenced the American, French, and Latin American Revolutions. Influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen Political impacts such as the Separation of Powers and Enlightened Despots, or rulers who believed in Enlightenment ideals

“Enlightened Monarchs” Most of Europe ruled by absolute monarchs Receptive to Enlightenment ideas Instituted new laws and practices Enlightened Monarchs Frederick II, Prussia Catherine the Great, Russia Maria Theresa, Austria Joseph II, Holy Roman Empire Gustav III, Sweden Napoleon I, France

Enlightened Despots Some monarchs accepted Enlightenment ideas. They were known as Enlightened Despots. Maria Theresa of Austria: improved the tax system/ Tax the clergy and the nobles/ made primary education available in her kingdom. Joseph II: practiced religious toleration, ended censorship and abolished serfdom. Catherine the Great: asked the nobles for advice, freed some of the peasants, built schools, and hospitals. Practiced religious toleration and promoted education for women.