Chapter 19 History

Key Concepts and Themes in the Age of Enlightenment

Historical Context

  • Time Period: 1540-1790

  • Major Movements: Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment

    • Focus on rationality and empirical evidence in contrast to tradition.

Key Terms and Main Ideas

  • Important Terms:

    • Copernican Hypothesis: Sun-centered universe theory.

    • Law of Universal Gravitation: Newton's principles explaining gravitational attraction.

    • Empiricism: Inductive reasoning based on observation.

    • Enlightenment: Movement emphasizing reason and critical thinking in societal issues like politics, religion, and gender.

    • Philosophes: French thinkers advocating knowledge and reason.

    • Deism: Belief in a noninterventionist deity.

    • General Will: Rousseau's concept of collective interest.

    • Economic Liberalism: Adam Smith's view on self-interest leading to prosperity.

    • Salons: Social gatherings for discussing ideas, often hosted by women.

    • Enlightened Absolutism: Monarchs embracing reforms while maintaining power.

    • Haskalah: Jewish Enlightenment movement led by Moses Mendelssohn.

    • Creoles: European descent individuals born in the Americas, important in the context of developing American identity.

Europe in 1648

  • Neighboring Empires and Kingdoms:

    • Holy Roman Empire

    • Portugal

    • Ireland

    • Scotland

    • England

    • Dutch Republic

    • Kingdom of Sweden

    • Tsardom of Russia

    • Ottoman Empire

    • Spanish Kingdoms

The Scientific Revolution

  • Copernican Hypothesis: Positioned Sun at the center instead of Earth.

  • Newton's Contributions: Development of the law of universal gravitation, which states:

    • All objects attract each other.

    • Attraction's strength relates to mass and distance.

  • Empiricism: Scientific method focusing on observation and experimentation over speculation.

Enlightenment Thinkers

  • John Locke: Introduced sensationalism, correlating thoughts to sensory experiences.

  • Rousseau: Proposed 'general will' as a new source of political authority.

  • Adam Smith: Advocated economic liberalism, promoting self-interest as beneficial for society.

Impact of Enlightenment on Society

  • Labor:

    • Enclosure Movement: Transitioned common lands to private ownership, enhancing agricultural efficiency but disadvantaging poor farmers.

    • Cottage Industry: Growth of small-scale manufacturing in homes.

  • Social Settings:

    • Public Sphere: Space for critical discussion on societal issues, shaping public opinion and participation.

Gender and the Enlightenment

  • Salons: Women played significant roles in the Enlightenment by hosting discussions, influencing intellectual circles.

Conclusion

  • The Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution ushered in drastic changes in thought, culture, and society, laying foundations for modern Western civilization, individualism, and progressively democratic ideas.