The Enlightenment & Scientific Revolution Cy- Ranch World History

The Scientific Revolution In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Scientific Revolution Scientific Method Galileo Galilei Sir Isaac Newton Cy- Ranch World History

The Scientific Revolution began during the Renaissance and continued through the 17 th and 18 th centuries.

The Scientific Revolution  It was a movement that rejected traditional authority and church teachings in favor of scientific reasoning.  A new scientific method was developed. Cy- Ranch World History

Like Galileo and his telescope, scientists began to look and to prove truths.

The Scientific Method  The scientific method is a process whereby scientists observe nature and make hypotheses (educated guesses).  Scientists then test their hypotheses through experiments.  A scientist must prove his hypothesis or he cannot claim it is true. Cy- Ranch World History

For the scientist, seeing is believing. This is a heliocentric model. The sun is the center of the solar system.

Galileo Galilei  Galileo was an Italian scientist.  He supported Copernicus. Copernicus believed that the planets traveled around the sun.  Galileo built a telescope to prove it. Cy- Ranch World History

Officials of the Roman Catholic Church were furious with Galileo. They supported a geocentric view or the belief that the planets revolved around the Earth.

Sir Isaac Newton  Sir Isaac Newton was the most influential scientist of the Scientific Revolution.  Sir Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravity.  Gravity explains the movement of the planets and how objects fall on the earth. Cy- Ranch World History

Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery raised hopes that the entire universe acted according to certain fixed and fundamental laws.

Cy- Ranch World History If the universe was like a mechanical clock, it could be studied and observed and its workings figured out.

Cy- Ranch World History Scientists wanted to know why it rained not simply that God willed it to rain.

Questions for Reflection:  What was the Scientific Revolution?  Why did scientists during the Scientific Revolution sometimes come into conflict with Church officials?  Describe the scientific method.  Who was Galileo Galilei and what did he believe?  Why did Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity raise scientists’ hopes? Cy- Ranch World History

The Enlightenment In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: The Enlightenment Voltaire Adam Smith Catherine the Great Cy- Ranch World History

The Enlightenment was an important movement in Europe during the 18 th century.

Enlightenment Thinkers  Enlightenment thinkers were influenced by the Scientific Revolution.  They believed that by applying reason and scientific laws, people could better understand both nature and society.  They believed that scientific reasoning could be applied to society. Cy- Ranch World History

Enlightenment thinkers wanted to make the world a better place.

Improving Society  Enlightenment thinkers frequently questioned the power of the Roman Catholic Church as well as divine right.  Enlightenment ideas were adopted in the American Declaration of Independence. Cy- Ranch World History

Voltaire was a French philosopher. He strongly supported freedom of religion and the right to a fair trial.

Voltaire  Fought for tolerance and reason  Believed in freedom of religion and freedom of speech  Humanity’s worst enemies are intolerance, prejudice, and superstition

Cy- Ranch World History Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that government should express the will of the people.

Jean Jacques Rousseau  Good government is one where the people form the government and guide it together  Direct Democracy  One gives up some freedoms for the common good  Social Contract  Consent of the governed  All people equal (no titles)

John Locke  Believed people could learn from experience and improve themselves  People were able to govern themselves  All people are born free and equal with three natural rights: Life, Liberty, and Property  Government is supposed to protect these rights  If not, overthrow government

Baron de Montesquieu  Studied Rome- collapse due to loss of political liberties  Division of power in government between different groups of people is good  Separation of Powers

Cesare Beccaria  Justice System  Laws existed to preserve social order  Speedy trial  Punishment should fit the crime  Capital punishment should be abolished

Cy- Ranch World History Adam Smith was a Scottish philosopher. He observed changes occurring in the marketplace. He discovered the rules of the free market.

Cy- Ranch World History In a free market, individuals are free to buy and sell. The government does not intervene. Competition and self-interest ensure the goods people need at fair prices.

Cy- Ranch World History Like scientists, Enlightenment thinkers carefully observed society and looked for principles best suited for its functioning.

Cy- Ranch World History Even some monarchs, like Russia’s Catherine the Great, tried to apply Enlightenment ideas to improve society.

Cy- Ranch World History However, Catherine would not part with any of her absolute power.

Video summarizing The Enlightenment

Questions for Reflection:  How did the Scientific Revolution influence the Enlightenment?  What were the goals of Enlightenment thinkers?  Who was Voltaire and what did he believe?  Describe Adam Smith’s observations of the free market.  What aspect of the Enlightenment did Catherine the Great not accept? Cy- Ranch World History