Enlightenment and scientific revolution short

enlightenment revolution

1. 1550-1789 Chapter 6 Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution

2. The Scientific Revolution Renaissance, Reformation broke down medieval world view, traditional beliefs Shift in scientific thinking By early 1600’s new approach based on hypothesis, observation and experimentation ( scientific method ) Mathematics key to understanding truths, used to convert data into information and scientific laws Christianity taught that God had placed the earth at the center of the universe Earth- centered view ( geocentric ) idea came from Aristotle Beginning in mid-1500’s ideas were challenged by scientists Change was called the scientific revolution It was a new way of thinking based on observation and willingness to question accepted beliefs Combination of discoveries and inventions led to Scientific Revolution Discovery of new lands challenged old truths, led to new observations that questioned world around them Ideas spread by printing press

3. Changing Thought Medieval Earth centered solar system Limits set by the Church and theology, faith Destiny is already set from birth Time, society, world seen as natural and organic Scientific Revolution Sun centered solar system Limits set by rational, logical thought and experiments Everything can be explained and improved- engineered Time, society and the world seen as a machine, mechanical, a clock

4. The Enlightenment Philosophers and scholars also began to question reason and order and began to question long held beliefs about the human condition Wanted to change the ideas of rights and liberties of ordinary citizens Challenged relationship between government and people Brought new insights in government, religion, economics and education Stressed using reason and thought to solve human problems

5. The Enlightenment Enlightenment reached height in France in mid-1700’s Paris was center of Enlightenment ideas Social critics were known as philosophes Characteristics Used methods of science to understand and improve society Believed reason could reform government, law and society Wanted social justice, equality Met in salons , informal gatherings, brought together writers, artists, thinkers to discuss and spread ideas

6. The Enlightenment Spreads European art in 1600’s and early 1700’s was dominated by a style known a baroque (had grand, ornate, design) Enlightenment influenced change Simple, elegant style influence by classical Greece and Rome called neo-classical developed by late 1700’s Simple structure and decoration reflected order and reason Music styles changed lighter, elegant style of music developed known as classical music Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven were classical composers

7. The Enlightenment Many philosophes thought the best form of government was a monarchy They wanted rulers to respect individuals rights Some monarchs made reforms that reflected the Enlightenment (known as enlightened despots ) They did not want to give up power, but made changes for two reasons: To make their country stronger to make their own rule more effective Best examples of enlightened despots were Fredrick the Great of Prussia, Joseph II of Austria and Catherine the Great of Russia

8. The Enlightenment Legacy of the Enlightenment Enlightenment thinkers challenged long held ideas about society from religion to the role of government Theories inspired the American and French Revolutions Three other long term effects of the Enlightenment Belief in progress- idea that human thought, logic and reason could solve social problems More secular outlook- more non-religious viewpoint, questioned the ideas of the church and promoted religious tolerance Importance of the individual- people looked to themselves to solve problems, not government, or church