Mod 12

Module 12 Lesson 1 - The Scientific Revolution

  • Standard: Impact on religious, political, and cultural institutions by challenging worldviews.

  • Objective: Understanding revolutionary ideas introduced by scientists between the 1500s and 1700s.

  • Essential Question: In what ways were these ideas revolutionary?

Key Terms & People

  • Geocentric Theory: Earth-centered model of the universe.

  • Scientific Revolution: Period of questioning accepted beliefs through experimentation.

  • Heliocentric Theory: Sun-centered model proposed by Copernicus.

  • Galileo Galilei: Key figure in advancing astronomy.

  • Scientific Method: Systematic procedure for gathering and testing ideas.

  • Isaac Newton: Developed laws of motion and universal gravitation.

  • Deism: Belief in a creator who does not intervene in the universe.

  • Relevance Today: Scientific questioning in the 16th century led to the scientific method, which remains influential.

Setting the Stage

  • Period from 1300-1600 marked by significant changes influenced by the Renaissance and the Reformation.

  • Scholars started questioning longstanding accepted ideas, leading to revolution in thought about the physical world.

The Roots of Modern Science

The Medieval View

  • Knowledge primarily from the Bible and ancient sources, supporting geocentric theory (Ptolemy, Aristotle).

A New Way of Thinking

  • The Renaissance fosters inquiry and observation.

  • New discoveries and explorations expand understanding, prompting advances in astronomy and mathematics.

Causes and Effects of the Scientific Revolution

  • Causes:

    • Contact with Muslim scholars introduced new ideas (e.g., algebra, human anatomy).

    • Encounters during explorations expand knowledge.

    • Invention of the printing press facilitates idea dissemination.

  • Effects:

    • Openness to new ideas.

    • Search for explanations when observations contradicted ancient beliefs.

A Revolutionary Model of the Universe

The Heliocentric Theory

  • Copernicus's heliocentric model challenged geocentric views.

  • Tycho Brahe: Recorded planetary movements, developed data for analysis.

  • Johannes Kepler: Discovered elliptical orbits of planets.

Galileo's Discoveries

  • Galileo's telescope observations supported heliocentric theory; confronted church authority.

The Scientific Method

  • Development of a logical procedure for experimentation, emphasizing empirical evidence.

  • Key Thinkers:

    • Francis Bacon: Promoted experimentation before conclusions.

    • René Descartes: Advocated for reasoning through logic and math.

Newton Explains the Law of Gravity

  • Newton linked motion of celestial bodies and earthly phenomena.

  • Introduced the Law of Universal Gravitation, viewing the universe as a mechanical clock.

The Scientific Revolution Spreads

Scientific Instruments Developed

  • Microscope (Janssen) observes bacteria.

  • Barometer (Torricelli) and thermometer (Fahrenheit, Celsius) enhance measurement.

Medicine and Anatomy

  • Andreas Vesalius: Advanced anatomical knowledge through dissections.

  • Edward Jenner: Created the first smallpox vaccination.

Module 12 Lesson 2 - Enlightenment Thinkers

  • Standard: Enlightenment ideas challenged religious authority and absolute rule; guided political and social systems.

  • Objective: Explore revolutionary impacts of these ideas.

Key Terms & People

  • Enlightenment: Intellectual movement emphasizing reason.

  • Social Contract (Hobbes, Locke): Idea that government derives power from the governed.

  • Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau: Influential philosophes advocating individual freedoms and social reform.

  • Relevance Today: Enlightenment influenced modern freedoms and governance.

Setting the Stage

  • Post-Scientific Revolution, philosophers reevaluated societal beliefs regarding governance, religion, and education, leading to the Enlightenment, termed the Age of Reason.

Two Views on Government

Thomas Hobbes

  • Advocated for a strong government to maintain order due to humanity's inherent selfishness.

John Locke

  • Proposed natural rights (life, liberty, property) and justified rebellion against unjust governments.

The Philosophes Advocate Reason

  • Advocated for reason, nature, happiness, progress, and liberty.

  • Voltaire: Criticized intolerance and championed freedom of expression.

  • Montesquieu: Introduced separation of powers.

  • Rousseau: Emphasized individual freedom and social contracts.

  • Beccaria: Worked to reform the justice system advocating for rights of the accused.

Major Ideas of Enlightenment

  • Natural Rights (Locke): Fundamental to U.S. Declaration of Independence.

  • Separation of Powers (Montesquieu): Influential in multiple nations’ constitutions.

  • Freedom of Thought (Voltaire): Enshrined in U.S. Bill of Rights.

  • Justice System Reforms (Beccaria): Influenced legal principles in the Americas.

  • Individual Freedoms (Rousseau): Foundation for modern democratic principles.

Module 12 Lesson 3 - The Enlightenment Spreads

  • Standard: Enlightenment ideas spread and influenced arts and government.

  • Objective: Understand the broad influence of Enlightenment thought.

Key Terms & People

  • Salons, Baroque, Neoclassical, Mary Wollstonecraft, Catherine the Great.

Setting the Stage

  • Spread of Enlightenment ideas met with resistance; literary efforts like salons facilitated discussions.

A World of Ideas

  • Paris became the center of Enlightenment, characterized by salons promoting intellectual discourse.

  • Diderot’s Encyclopedia: A collection of Enlightenment essays, criticized by authorities.

New Artistic Styles

  • Transition from Baroque to Neoclassical art reflecting Enlightenment values.

  • Emergence of classical music (Haydn, Mozart) and the novel (Richardson, Fielding).

Women and the Enlightenment

  • Mary Astell: Critiqued education inequality for women.

  • Mary Wollstonecraft: Advocated for women's rights and education.

Enlightenment and Monarchy

  • Rise of enlightened despots shaped by Enlightenment values.

  • Frederick the Great, Joseph II, and Catherine the Great enacted progressive reforms.

Legacy of the Enlightenment

  • Philosophes inspired revolutions emphasizing progress, secularism, and individual rights.

Module 12 Lesson 4 - The American Revolution

  • Standard: Influence of Enlightenment ideas on revolutions.

  • Objective: Explore how Enlightenment concepts fueled the American Revolution.

Key Terms & People

  • Declaration of Independence, Checks and Balances, Bill of Rights.

Setting the Stage

  • Colonists increasingly saw England as tyrannical, calling for independence influenced by Enlightenment philosophy.

Colonial Trade Policies

  • Navigation Act restricted colonial trade; high profits favored Britain.

Americans Win Independence

  • Hostilities result in the Boston Tea Party and armed conflicts leading to independence.

Americans Create a Republic

  • The inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation led to the formation of the U.S. Constitution.

  • Federal System established to ensure balance of power among branches of government.

Enlightenment Principles in the U.S. Constitution

  • Concepts from Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, and Beccaria reflected in governmental structures, rights, and legal protections.