The Spread of Enlightenment Ideas
Chapter 6
Section 3 (pp.178-182)
Essential Question 4:
How did the ideas of the Age of Reason
spread throughout Europe and how did
they affect art and culture?
Three Major Objectives:
1.
A World of Ideas
How did the ideas of the Enlightenment spread
throughout Europe?
2. Art and Literature in the Age of Reason
How was the art and literature of this time influenced by
Enlightenment ideas of reason and order?
3. Enlightenment and the Monarchy
How did the absolute monarchs of this time try to apply
Enlightenment ideas to their governments?
A World of Ideas
The ideas of the Enlightenment were spread by various
means:
1.
The salons of Paris

2.
Diderot’s Encyclopedia

3.
Philosophers, writers, artists, scientists, and others gathered
to discuss/debate new ideas
One book that contains current ideas about science, art, and
government
The Media (books, newspapers, magazines)

The increasingly literate middle-class purchased written
materials to satisfy their growing curiosity
Art and Literature in the Age of Reason


The Neo-Classical style replaces the baroque style of art in
1700s
–
Simple, elegant style that stresses harmony & balance (borrowing
from the ideas of the classical Greeks & Romans)
–
Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart are among the great musical composers of
this period
In literature, a new form of writing becomes popular --- the
novel
–
–
Entertaining stories written in everyday English to appeal to the
middle class
Robinson Crusoe, Pamela, and Tom Jones are early examples
Art in the Age of Enlightenment
The Enlightenment influenced painters of the
time to look for inspiration in the material
(secular) world – Nature, society, science,
and individualism.
Enlightenment and the Monarchy
The ideas of the Enlightenment influenced the
way in which some monarchs governed
 Enlightened Despots were absolute
monarchs who tried to rule more according
to the ideas & spirit of the Enlightenment
1.
Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia
–
Granted some religious freedoms, reduced censorship,
improved education, and abolished use of torture
Enlightened Despots (cont.)
2. Joseph II of Austria tried to make radical reforms but
failed


Freedom of worship
Tried to end serfdom
3. Catherine II (the Great) of Russia




Reformed Russian laws (tried to abolish torture &
capital punishment; give religious freedom)
Legal reform failed
Improved life of serfs but fails to grant them freedom
Expanded Russian Empire and acquires a warmweather port on Black Sea from Ottoman Empire