Chapter 17, section 2

New Ideas Challenge Society The Encyclopedia and other writings became more easily available Caused more people to believe that change was necessary to reach a fair and just society During the Middle Ages, most people had accepted that society was based on divine right, strict social classes and a belief in heaven as a reward for suffering in life (this seemed irrational to philosophers) But Enlightenment believers thought a just society should mean happiness for all people

Censorship To prevent these ideas from spreading, Church and government officials began to censor Enlightenment ideas Burned books Banned books Imprisoned writers Writers began to write their ideas down in fiction, to hide their philosophies and keep them accessible at the same time Jonathan Swift, “A Modest Proposal”

Enlightenment Culture Rococo style art: less religious focus, more pastel, nature Enlightenment thinkers thought this style was superficial Enlightenment caused new forms of music “classical” music was played at opera houses, so regular people could hear it Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart New literature with philosophical plots: Robinson Crusoe

Enlightened Despots Absolute rulers who liked Enlightenment ideas and tried to use their power to bring political and social change Frederick II (The Great): Loved Voltaire, reduced torture, allowed free press, religious tolerance. But he did still want total power

Enlightened Despots, cont. Catherine the Great Read philosophy Wrote letters with Diderot and Voltaire Abolished torture, established religious tolerance Criticized serfdom, gave nobles a charter of rights Main goal still was total power Joseph II Religious tolerance for Jews and Protestants Allowed free press Abolished serfdom But everything went back to the way it was before after he died

Enlightenment does not reach everyone quickly Most Europeans, especially the peasants, were not affected by all these cultural changes However, ideas about equality and social justice did appeal to peasants In the 1800s, war and political upheaval would transform their lives