Chapter 16
Transformations In Europe
1500-1750
How were Culture & Ideas Changing?
• Sale of
Indulgences
• Martin Luther
• John Calvin
• Protestant
Reformation
• Religious
Wars
• Counter
Reformation
Religious Changes
Traditional Culture & Witch Hunts
• Conflict
between formal
religion & preChristian local
beliefs &
practices
• Witch hunts
What was the
“Scientific
Revolution”?
• Challenged
prevailing
conceptions of
physical world
• Sought natural
causes to
explain
universe
The Early Enlightenment
• Scientific
method could
analyze
economics,
politics, social
organization to
create policies
Who Am I?
• Leviathan
• Religion should be
separate from politics
• Emphasized reason
• People are fearful and
predatory
• State should have
“absolute power”
Who Am I?
• People are born
“good”
• God given “Natural
Rights”
• Life, Liberty, Property
• Power of state should
be limited
• Social contract
• Freedom of Religion
Who Am I?
• The accused should
have rights
• Death penalty and
torture are wrong
• Education essential
• Right to fair and
speedy trial
• Punishment should fit
the crime
Who Am I?
• Limit power of King
• Three Branches of
Government
• Separation of Powers
• Checks and Balances
Who Am I?
• Individuals have
rights
• Majority rule
• Reason and individual
rights essential
• Individuals should be
allowed to experience
and explore life.
Who Am I?
• Single legislature with
advisory board
• Advisory board would
work for the government
and not receive paid
• Slavery wrong and should
be abolished
• Simple lifestyle was best
• Inventor
• Diplomat
Who Am I?
• Trusted the people to
make best decisions
• Limited government
• Education crucial to
success of
democracy
• All should have the
opportunity for
education
Who Am I?
• All things should be
explained logically and
reasonably
• Fought against
intolerance, tyranny,
superstition
• Freedom of thought and
respect for all
• Religion too powerful
• Literature useful for
understanding problems
of the day
• “Candide”
Who Am I?
• Fought for the rights of
women
• Fought against
inequalities in education
• Equal opportunity for all
• People should be judged
on individual merit and
moral virtue, not on
gender
Who Am I?
• “Wealth of Nations”
• Self-interest guides the
efficient use of resources
• “free enterprise”
• People who earned
money benefited
themselves and society
• Charity virtuous but
society should not
depend upon it
Social & Economic Changes
• Wealthy urban
bourgeoisie thrived
• Built relationships w/
monarchs
• Bought land & titles
• “Married up”
• Facilitated trade
• Joint-stock companies
• Stock exchanges
• Transportation
infrastructure
How did life change for Peasants & Laborers?
West Europe=Serfdom declined
East Europe=gained prominence
African slaves working in Americas
contributed to Europe’s economy
How were women & families changing?
• Women’s status
same as husband &
family
• Love, affection led to
slight increase in
status
• Late marriage led to
increased
independence from
parents
• Low birth rate
• Emphasis on
education led to
more schools
• Women barred
Political Changes
• Monarchs
power
increased
• Strong armies
• Elaborate
bureaucracies
• High taxes
Monarchies in England & France
English Bill of Rights
Bourbon Kings Develop “absolutist”
style government
Versailles
Warfare & Diplomacy
New military technologies (cannon, muskets), & large standing armies or navies
Paying the Piper
High cost of war led rulers to form alliances with commercial elites. Spain’s
economy declined with expulsion of Jews, Protestants, and Muslims.
Summary
• The religious reformations combined with the Scientific Revolution
led the way for the Enlightenment, an age of reason, and the
movement to apply newly discovered natural laws to social
behavior.
• Foreign and domestic trade spawned rapid growth in European
cities and the rise of a wealthy commercial class, with Amsterdam in
the Netherlands the most vivid example. Agricultural improvements
increased production but the Little Ice Age and increased mining of
forests caused more difficulties for the poor.
• The Holy Roman Empire declined in strength from religious
fragmentation while Spain and France increased centralized power.
The English increased naval power and established direct taxation
and a central bank, making the nation stronger financially than other
European powers.