AP World History: An Enlightened Society

Period Four

I New Ideas Challenge SocietyA) Denis Diderot produced a 28

volume set of books called The Encyclopedia. His purpose was to “change the general way of thinking” by explaining topics such as government, philosophy and religion.

B) Because many of the articles praised freedom of expression, and criticized slavery and traditional religion, the French government and the Pope tried to ban it.

“Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of

the last priest.”

New Ideas Challenge Society Continued…B) By the 17th century, writers, artists and philosophes began meeting in

salons (informal social gatherings). The salons began when French noblewomen began meetings in their homes.*Madame Geoffrin had Mozart and Diderot as her salon guests!

II Arts and Literature Reflect New IdeasA) In the age of Louis XIV, courtly art and architecture often

was of the baroque style:- grand, colorful, full of excitement

Linfante Marguerite Diego Velázquez Sir Peter Paul Rubens,

Portrait of a Young Girl (1615-16)

Versailles, an Example of Baroque Architecture

B) Louis XV’s court was less formal than that of Louis XIV. The style of rococo developed to reflect this change. It was lighter and more delicate.

   

Palace of Catherine the Great, an Example of Rococo Architecture

Arts and Literature Reflect New Ideas Continued…C) The enlightenment led composers to develop new forms of music.

1. Operas (plays set to music) originated in Florence. Large casts with elaborate costumes.

2. Ballets, dancing en Pointe began to be performed.2. Baroque music developed

- Johann Sebastian Bach: A German Lutheran, he composed beautiful religious works

3. Classical music developed- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: A child prodigy from Austria. Wrote over 600 works including operas, religious music & symphonies.

Bach 1685 - 1750

Did You Know? He spent a month in jail when he tried to quit his job playing music for a Duke. During that month in jail, he

composed 46 works of music!

Mozart 1756 - 1791

“Music, even in situations of the greatest horror,

should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby

always remain music.”

Vienna State Opera House

Vienna State Opera House Interior

Sydney Opera House

The Three Tenors, Modern Opera Singers

Modern Ballet

Arts and Literature Reflect New Ideas Continued…D) By the early 18th century, novels began to appear in Europe.

- Daniel Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe, about a shipwrecked sailor

III Enlightened Despots Embrace New Ideas

A) The philosophes tried to get European monarchs to embrace enlightenment ideas

B) Those that accepted these new ideas were called enlightened despots. They still had absolute power, but they used their power in new ways.

1. Frederick II, known as Frederick The Great ruled Prussia 1740 – 1786. He allowed a free press and reduced the use of torture. He allowed for some religious freedom. “In my kingdom… everyone can go to heaven in his own fashion.”

2. Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, exchanged letters with Voltaire and Diderot. She praised Voltaire as someone who had “fought the united enemies of humankind: superstition, fanaticism, ignorance, trickery.”

- Catherine the Great abolished torture

- Granted Russian nobles a charter of rights*However, she did expand her empire.

IV RevolutionA) Enlightenment ideas influenced the Declaration of

Independence (1776) and the American Revolution (1775 – 1779). Once the colonies won their independence, the enlightenment helped to shape our constitution.

B) Enlightenment ideas later influenced the French Revolution (1789 – late 1790s).

Declaration of Independence

A Short Film on the Enlightenment

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=13418BCA-FCBE-49B6-A37C-C4B457BCB067&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Focus Questions

1. How did the Enlightenment change society? Was it always for the better?

2. Were the “enlightened despots” truly enlightened?

3. How did the Enlightenment influence revolutions?