Did Copernicus Copy?
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Heliocentric theory challenged geocentric
theory and set off other scientific advancements
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Others around the world had already figured
out that the sun was the center of the universe
(Arabs, Chinese, Indian, Mayan)
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Result- science takes on importance in
intellectual life
SCIENTISTS
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Johannes Kepler- researcher who proved Copernicus’s
theory
Vesalius- anatomical work
New power for scientific work in ability to test and
overrule old ideas
Galileo put on trial for defending Copernicus’s theory
William Harvey and blood circulation
Francis Bacon- importance of careful empirical research
Rene Descartes- human reason could develop laws that
could explain nature’s workings
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Isaac Newton 1687 published Principia
Mathematica – basic principles of motion- do
away with blind reliance on tradition or religious
faith
 New scientific institutes set up
 Deism- although there might be a divinity its
role was simply to set natural laws in motion
John Locke- learn through their sense and reason;
faith was irrelevant
ABSOLUTE AND PARLIAMENTARY MONARCHIES
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Feudal monarchy came undone in the 17th century
Absolute monarchy
Development of strong military (use of gunpowder
weapons)
King Louis XIV “L’etat c’moi”
Competing monarchs in Central EuropeHapsburgs
Mercantilism
Britain and Netherlands growing commercial and
colonial powers went against this trend of monarchy
in the states. They built parliamentary regimes in
which the kings shared power with representatives
(selected from nobility and upper class)
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Glorious Revolution in 1689
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Political theory growing about the importance of power from the people
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Development of constitutional monarchy