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Home , Absolute monarchy

Scientific Revolution, Absolutism & Enlightenment Cheat Sheet Scientific Revolution Sir Isaac Newton, Bacon, Galileo and Johannes Kepler are all directly associated with the Scientific Revolution ​ ● Knowledge should be based on experimentation and observation (Empiricism) ​ ● Bacon: Scientific method was used to solve problems ● Kepler: Planets travel in ellipses and move faster as they approach the sun ● Newton: Gravity, of Motion, Calculus ● Copernicus—Heliocentric model of universe ​ ● Galileo— ● Agreed with Copernicus’ heliocentric model ● Invented first telescope ● Recanted (took back) his scientific beliefs because he feared that the Church might ​ ​ excommunicate him Absolutism—A system of where a ruler has complete control over the lives of the people ​ ● Divine right theory—belief that and queens had been given their power from ​ ○ This theory is similar to the term “” used by dynastic rulers in China to justify their ​ political power. ​ ● Absolute monarchs sought (wanted) to centralize and maintain absolute power ​ ● Absolute rulers determined government policies without the consent of their people ​ ● Machiavelli believed that a wise ruler is one who does what is necessary to stay in power ​ ● Monarchs gain power and Nobles lose power

Example of Absolute Rule in : ● The Sun —Louis XIV—“I am the ” (Best example of Absolute Power—strong with the ​ king firmly in charge) ​ o Has a large network of spies o Decreased the power of the nobles o Spends a lot of money-uses power for the good of the monarchy ▪ Builds ▪ Enters many wars that he can’t win Enlightenment An intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of the individual to solve problems • Hobbes 1588-1679 o Leviathan o Humans are naturally selfish, wicked, and need a strong gov’t to maintain order o Believes Absolute Monarchy is best form of gov’t/Supports Autocratic ideas • Locke 1632-1704 o Two Treatises on Government o Purpose of gov’t is to protect natural rights—Life, Liberty, Property o All humans naturally good and capable of governing themselves • Gov’t power comes from the people/“consent of the governed” • Montesquieu 1689-1755 o Spirit of Laws o

• 1694-1788 o Candide Satire of church & gov’t ​ o “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” o Champions free speech, freedom of religion & tolerance (against religious fanaticism) • Rousseau 1712-1788 o The -shapes democratic thought from 1700s to present ​ o “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” o Human are born naturally good, civilization & institutions corrupt (gov’t & school) o People give up their right to the “general will” of the majority • Emile—Rousseau’s thoughts on education—Mostly discusses educating boys ​ ​ ​ • he stresses the importance of mothers teaching their children & teaching girls to be subordinate and dependent on their husbands (Sophie) • Beccaria 1738-1794 o On Crimes and Punishment o Condemns torture & death penalty/Punishment should fit the crime o Accused should receive a speedy trial • Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1757 o A Vindication on the Rights of Women o Women’s equality to men/Equal education of men & women/women should study & medicine • Denis Diderot o Chief editor and contributor to the first Encyclopedia (28 volumes, organized alphabetically and indexed) Information age begins! • Madame de Pompadour o Frequented Salons, respected by philosophes such as Montesquieu and Voltaire

Enlightenment influenced the writings of the Declaration of Independence, US , Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen as well as the American, French and Latin American Revolutions

Enlightened Despots (Enlightened Absolute rulers): use their power for the good of the people ​ ​ : ● -Enlightened Despot o Forced large number of peasants into serfdom o Followed a policy of Westernization o Gained a warm water port ▪ The Baltic Sea is important to Russia because it was a warm water port that could be used for trade ​ and travel o Patron of French philosophes o Hoped to implement Enlightenment ideas and reform the Russian . ▪ Formed schools for women ▪ Reduced censorship (did not eliminate it) ▪ Increased agricultural reforms German States: ● Maria Theresa, (Austria) —Enlightened Despot ○ Supporter of inoculation for small pox ○ Strengthened economy ○ Outlawed witch burning and torture ○ Mandatory education ● Joseph II (Austria)-Enlightened Despot-abolished serfdom, makes taxes equal for nobles & peasants, religious toleration! ● Frederick William The Great()=Benevolent despot/enlightened despot o Laid foundation for establishment of Prussia as a European Power