Chap. 17 Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment!
During the Medieval times, scientists did not make observations of the natural world – had relied mostly
on Aristotle for their knowledge.
A number of changes occurred that caused these philosophers to look at new ways to explain the world
around them:
I.
A revolution in Astronomy!
A. The Ptolemaic System:
1. Ptoley, who lived in the 2nd century was the greatest astronomer to date. - many had constructed a
model of the universe known as the Ptolemaic system – this system is called geo centric because it
places __________________at the center of the ___________________!
2. In the Ptolemaic system, the universe is a series of _______________ that are one inside the other. –
The earth is motionless in the center – the spheres are thought to be orbs of light – The moon is
embeded in the first sphere – Mercury in the 2nd, and so on.
B. Copernicus and Kepler:
1. In 1542, Nicholas Copernicus published a famous book – “On the REVELATIONS OF THE Heavenly
Spheres” – a mathematician, felt this geocentric system was too complicated – believed HIS
“____________________________” – or sun-centered concept of the universe made more sense.
2. Argued that the SUN, not the _________________was at the center of the____________________–
The planets, revolved around the sun – HGOWVER, the Moon revolved around the earth.
3. Also, Copernicus believed that the “Sun moving around the earth” theory was actually just the earth
ROTATING on its axis – and it took the earth ___________ ______________to journey around the sun.
Kepler takes it a step further…
4. Johannes Kepler confirmed that the sun was at the center and added new information – showed that
the orbits of the planets around the Sun were NOT circular orbs – but were___________
______________– known as Keplers First Law.
II. Galileo
More questions needed to be answered – what were the planets made of? Is there motion in the
universe?
1. Italian scientist – Galileo created the telescope – found there were mountains on the moon!! –
there was actual substance to these “orbs of light”.
2. Discoveries were published in the “_____________________________”
3. _________________ordered Galileo to _______________is Copernican ideas – threatened the
Churches' entire concept of the universe because it conflicted with the bible.
4.
Many were now agreeing with these throes – but the question of MOTION in the universe had
not been answered…
III. Newton
1. Sir Isaac Newton, an Englishman, defined 3 laws of motion that governed how the planetary
bodies work – important to his ENTIRE work was the universal_______________ __________
______________– this explains why planetary bodies don’t move in straight lines but
________________about the sun – the force that does this is gravity.
IV. The Scientific Method
1. During the Scientific Revolution, people became concerned about how to best understand the
physical world (Physics).
2. The result was the scientific method – a systematic procedure for collecting and looking at
evidence – this method is very important to science
3. Francis Bacon, believed that instead of relying on ideas by ancient authorizes – scientists would
use inductive reasoning..(Whats that?)
4. 4. Scientists should use systematic and carefully organized _________________ to test theories.
Section 2 – The Enlightenment!
I.
Path to Enlightenment
1. Was a movement of intellectuals who were greatly impressed with the
_____________________ ___________________
2. Believed they could apply scientific method to understand all life and how it works.
3. Influenced the most by 2 men –Isaac______________ and John ______________________:
a. To Newton, geophysical world was like a________________ and he wanted to discover the
laws that controlled it.
b. John Locke argued that everyone is born with a tabula rasa, or a “_____________________”–
and people are molded by the experiences of their surrounding world.
II. The Philosphes and Their Ideas:
1. The intellectuals of the Enlightenment were known as ___________________– most were
French – believed the role of philosophy was to change the world.
Who were these philosophers?
A. Montesquieu:
1. Identified 3 basic kinds of governments:
a. -______________– good for small states
b. despotism – good for LARGE states or countries.
c.______________– suitable for medium states
He believed a government should function through a separation of powers:
Executive –
Legislative
Judicial
B. Voltaire:
1. Greatest figure of the Enlightenment was known simply as “Voltaire” – believed in something
called_______________– believed a mechanic (God) created the universe – and the universe was
like a ______________God was the clockmaker – set the universe in motion and will allow it to run
without his interference – it will run according to its own ________________ ________________.
Section 3 – The Impact of Enlightenment!
What types of impact did the Enlightenment have on culture?
A. The Arts
1.The Baroque and neoclassical styles had dominated Europe for many years – however, a new
artistic style –______________began to spread all over Europe.
2. Unlike Baroque which had expressed grandeur and power – rococo expressed grace, elegance
and charm. – Delicate colors were used.
B. Music
1. The 18th century was one of the greatest periods for music EVER to happen in Europe. 2
composers – Johann Sebastian Back and George Handel stood out as musical geniuses.
2. ______________composed his Mass in B Minor and other works that would give him this
reputation.
3. ______________was also German – his Messiah had been called a “rare work” that
appealed to almost anyone that listened.
3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was truly a child prodigy – wrote passionate, exciting music
II. The Enlightenment and Enlightened Absolutism
1. Now, enlightenment thought had an effect on the ____________________life of Europe for a
long time – such as natural rights for people – freedom of __________________
2. Many agreed on a new type of absolutism – enlightened absolutism – rulers now tried to govern
with enlightenment principles and STILL maintain _____________ _________________.
Did Europe's rulers, however, actually follow the advice and do this? To answer that question, we can
examine 3 states – Prussia, Austria and Russia.
A. Prussia:
1. Frederick II (Or Frederick the Great) was one of the best __________________ and cultured
kings – well versed in ideas of enlightenment.
2. Enlarged his army – abolished use of _____________– granted limited freedom of the press and
speech – but kept a rigid social structure.
B. The Austrian Empire
1. Empress Maria Therese of _______________ _________NOT open to philosophers – but did
work hard to make the lives of serfs better in her country.
2. Her son, however, was the _________________e –________________– abolished serfdom,
eliminated the death penalty and established religious toleration – however, it didn’t go over
very well 
3. His nobles were angry for making serfs _________________to them – these policies were way
too drastic for the times
C. Russia under Catherine the Great
1. ____________________ the ____________ ruled _______________ - was highly intelligent and
was familiar with the enlightenment movement – wanted to recognize equality among most –
however, she knew she needed support from nobles – she upset many peasants and serfs in
Russia – but did expand her territory.
2. Of all of the rulers – only Joseph II truly wanted ______________ _______________.
3. 3. The philosophers condemned was as a foolish waste of life and resources – but it still
wouldn't stop wars in Europe – rulers found it a struggle to maintain power AND make their
people happy.
4. Speaking of Wars..
LETS REVIEW
•
1. What was the new type of architecture introduced after Baroque?
2. Who were some of the musical “geniuses” coming out of Europe?
3. How did rulers want to rule differently because of the enlightenment?
4. What ruler wanted drastic changes?
5. Who ruled Russia during this time period?
The War in North America!
Turn to pg. 534 – section 3 of Chap. 17
The War in North America!
1. What 2 countries were originally fighting for land in North America?
2. What 2 primary areas did these 2 fight over?
3. Who won the most land? What did the Treaty of Paris state?
Take out a sheet of paper please: