The Scientific Revolution The Renaissance inspired curiosity

between 1300 and 1600 Questioning ideas that had been accepted Answers came from Ancient Greek or

Roman writers or the Bible

Geocentric theory People believed the earth was an

immovable object in the center of the universe

Came from ancient Greek philosophers Earth was a special place

Christianity- God placed Earth at the center of the universe

Scientific Revolution- new ideas challenging old philosophers and the church ways of thinking

Before this nobody dared to question the church

Traveling to Asia, Africa and the Americas showed people that they didn’t know everything

Printing press (first copy machine) helped spread ideas quickly

3,600 pages a day compared to 40

NEW VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE Geocentric theory didn’t explain reality Copernicus studied movement of sun, stars

and planets for over 25 years Came up with heliocentric theory (sun centered) Knew his ideas would be rejected by the Church Published his book in his last year alive Other philosophers continued his ideas

Galileo built a telescope to study the heavens in 1609

Church was frightened by this Went against what they taught

Pope called Galileo to stand trial before the Inquisition Threatened torture and forced to say his

ideas were false Lived under house arrest until his death in

1642 Ideas still spread Catholic church admitted he was right in

1992

Scientific Method

A logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas Hypothesis, test, and conclusion Used instead of relying on the church or

ancient readings Based on the ideas of Bacon and

Descartes Bacon-experiment Descartes- mathematics/logic

Newton and the Law of Gravity

Every object in the universe attracts every other object, depending on the mass

Explained the way all the parts in the universe worked together like a clock Believed God was the clockmaker

Scientific Revolution Spreads

New tools to make better observations First microscope in 1590

Used to examine bacteria Barometer

Measured atmospheric pressure Thermometer

Medicine Previously believed ancient writings Never dissected a human being Galen gave detailed drawings of the

human anatomy Smallpox vaccine

Injected germs from cowpox into humans Protected them from the much worse

smallpox

The Enlightenment in Europe

Enlightenment- a new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems

2 Views on Government Hobbes

Hobbes Social Contract Ruler in total power to keep the order Absolute Monarchy

Locke Humans learned from experience Could govern their own affairs Natural rights-life, liberty and property Absolute monarchy bad-self government

good Power comes from the people-democracy

Philosophes

French word for philosophers People could apply reason to life

Voltaire Combats Intolerance Pen name Published 70+ books/essays Used satire Made many enemies

Sent to prison, then exiled Used his pen to fight intolerance,

prejudice and injustice “I do not agree with a word you say but

will defend to the death your right to say it”

Women and the Enlightenment Many ideas about improving education

Still thought women’s education should focus on the being a wife and mother

Thought women shouldn’t read novels “If absolute sovereignty be not

neccesary in a state, how comes it to be so in a family…If all men are born free how is it that all women are slaves?”

Mary Wolstonecraft Women needed education Urged women to enter medicine and

politics

Legacy of the Enlightenment

Belief in progress Scientific discoveries opened people’s eyes

Secular outlook (non-religious) Importance of the Individual

The Enlightenment Spreads

Philosophes ideas causing trouble It was illegal to criticize the church or

government Salons- social gatherings where

philosophers writers, artists and scientists discussed ideas Ex. PC Cafe

Diderot’s Encyclopedia

Denis Diderot- created a large set of books with essays from leading scholars Many Enlightenment ideas Angered the Church “moral corruption, irreligion and unbelief”

Helped spread ideas all over Europe Also spread through newspapers,

pamphlets and even songs

Middle class growing and becoming literate Able to afford art and books

New Artistic Styles

Baroque- old style of art, very grand

Neoclassical- simple, elegant style “new classical” Inspired by Roman art

New forms of music and literature followed Mozart, Beethoven Popular novels with drama/ suspense

Enlightenment and Monarchy Voltaire thought a monarch was best as

long as they respect the people’s rights Enlightened despots- absolute ruler,

making new reforms for the people Wanted to make countries stronger and

more effective rule, not just to be “nice” Frederick II of Prussia

“First servant of the state” Joseph II of Austria

Freedom of the press, freedom of religion Abolished serfdom

Catherine the Great Ruled Russia for 34 years Read the Philosophes and wrote letters w/

Voltaire Tried to improve Russia for serfs, but failed Serf rebellion crushed w/ Army Expanded empire

The American Revolution

British formed colonies on the East Coast

Over time, colonists saw themselves as less and less British

Business thriving Navigation Act

Most valuable products only sold to Britain Higher taxes on good from other countries

Americans Win Independence

French and Indian War France (with help of Indians) v Britain Britain wins and takes all French land in

America 9 years of fighting cost the British $$$ Expected colonists to pay it back

Stamp Act Any printed document must have a paid

stamp Taxation without representation!

Nobody in Parliament to approve

New tax on tea Boston Tea Party British close the harbor

This made many people angry at the King

Shooting exchange Colonists raise an Army Commanded by George Washington

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote Based on Locke’s ideas

Mismatched fight

British soldiers trained and experienced Colonists untrained Reasons for success:

Americans fighting for their homeland British overconfident (many mistakes) 3,000 miles apart, very expensive for British Cost too much, called for peace Help from France, wanted to weaken Britain

Americans shocked the world!

America Creates a Republic

Weak national government under Articles of Confederation No executive or judicial, only Congress No power to collect taxes or regulate trade

New constitution Separation of powers Checks and balances Federal system

Power divided between federal and state governments