WHII.

6The Scientific Revolution

Brought about an emphasis on reasoned observation and systematic measurement, and changed the way people
viewed the world and their place in it. The formulation of the scientific method came about as part of the Scientific
revolution.

Pioneers of the scientific revolution

Isaac Newton formulated law of gravity.
Nicolaus Copernicus developed heliocentric
theory.

Johannes Kepler discovered planetary motion.

Galileo Galilei used telescope to support

heliocentric theory.

William Harvey discovered circulation of the

blood.

WHII.6 The Age of Absolutism

The Age of Absolutism takes its name from a series of European monarchs who increased the power of their central
governments, becoming absolute monarchs. Absolute monarchies centralized all of the power in their government with
themselves, and developed under the concept of ruling by divine right. This mean that absolute monarchs were given their
power by God. Absolute monarchs included rulers in France and Russia, as well as Prussia and Great Britain.
Louis XIV of France I am the state. Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles outside Paris as a symbol of royal
power. He became known as the Sun King, using the sun as his symbol of absolute power. Just as the Sun is the center
of the universe, Louis XIV was the center of his state.
Peter the Great of Russia In power from 1672-1725, Peter wants to reform Russia. He embarks on a Grand Tour of
Western Europe, learning various trades and professions, different forms of government, and social/cultural customs of
western nations.
Peter brought the Russian Orthodox Church under State control, and began adopting Western customs. He ordered nobles
to adopt Western dress, promoted education and economic growth, built a strong navy, and modernized the army
engaging Russia in conflict with many of the smaller nations of Europe in order to do so, including taking control of
territory from Sweden on the Black Sea and establishing the city of St. Petersburg.

WHII.6English Civil War

The foundations of English rights include the jury trial, the Magna Carta, and common law. The English Civil War and
the Glorious Revolution prompted further development of the rights of Englishmen, based on the fact that political
democracy rests on the principle that government derives power from the consent of the governed.
James I An absolute monarch who believed in his divine right, James often clashed with parliament over taxes and
foreign policy. As a result, James I dissolved Parliament and took complete control of the government. James I was
also known for persecuting Puritan dissenters from the Church of England, leading to the emigration of Puritans to the
American colonies after 1600.
Charles I (son of James I) An absolute monarch, known for imprisoning his enemies without fair trials. Due to wars
and increased spending by Charles I, he was forced to summon Parliament in order to raise taxes. In response,
Parliament forced Charles I to sign The Petition of Right which prohibited king from raising taxes without consent of
Parliament, and prohibited jailing anyone without justification.
Oliver Cromwell led the Puritan Roundheads in a rebellion against the English King in the English Civil War from
1642-1651. Following the execution of Charles I, Cromwell established the Commonwealth of England, and
conquered Ireland and Scotland. Cromwell ruled England as a military dictator, and suppressed opposition by Irish
Catholics and supporters of Charles II. Cromwells control was based on his Puritan beliefs, which strongly
influenced the government. Cromwell established the House of Commons which did all of the following:
o Abolished the English Monarchy & House of Lords
o Established Church of England and supported the Presbyterian Church, but allowed for religious freedom.
o Declared England a republic
o Resisted reforms allowing poorer Englishmen and women involvement in government
o Promoted education for all to spread religious knowledge
o Ruled England under a strict Puritan moral code, closed theatres and taverns
o Captured and executed Charles I
The restoration of Charles II upon the death of Oliver Cromwell brought back the British Monarchy. Parliament
invited Charles II to return to England after Cromwell dies. Charles II reestablished Church of England, promoted
religious tolerance, and was forced to accept the English Petition of Right signed by Charles I, and worked with
Parliament to govern England.
Political parties/factions developed in England as a result of changing political ideas. This led to the development of
a constitutional government in England, where the power of the government is clearly defined, and limited by law.
Political parties, the office of the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet emerged as a result of the constitutional government.
The first political parties emerged in the late 1600s, and included the Tories and the Whigs.
o Tories aristocrats who wanted to preserve older traditions broad royal power, Anglican church.
o Whigs supported policies of Glorious Revolution - urban business interests, religious toleration,
stronger Parliament.
The Glorious Revolution came about in England in 1688 when William and Mary were asked to take the thrown, and
overthrew James II without bloodshed. This created a limited monarchy in England. William and Mary signed the
English bill of Rights, providing for the protection of basic rights for Englishmen.
o The English Bill of Rights
Passed by Parliament, accepted by William & Mary before they take power.
Ensured power of Parliament

Gave Parliament control of economy

Monarchs could not suspend laws or interfere with parliament.
Abolished excessive fines and cruel & unusual punishment
Ensured accused a trial by jury
Affirmed right of habeas corpus, no unjust imprisonment.
No Catholic could be King or Queen

WHII.6 - The Enlightenment

Enlightenment thinkers believed that human progress was possible through the application of scientific knowledge and
reason to issues of law and government. Enlightenment ideas influenced the leaders of the American Revolution and the
writing of the Declaration of Independence. The Enlightenment applies reason to the human world, as well as to the rest
of the natural world. It stimulated religious tolerance, and fueled democratic revolutions around the world.
Enlightenment thinkers and their ideas
Thomas Hobbes wrote Leviathan. According to Hobbes, humans exist in a primitive state of nature and consent to
government for self-protection.
John Locke wrote Two Treatises on Government. Locke believed that people are sovereign and consent to government
for protection of natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
Baron de Montesquieu wrote The Spirit of Laws. According to Montesquieu, the best form of government includes a
separation of powers among different branches of government.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote The Social Contract. Rousseau believed that government is a contract between rulers and
the people. People will abode by the laws established by their government, as long as government protects their rights.
Voltaire, a French philosopher, believed that religious toleration should triumph over religious fanaticism, and that there
should be a separation of church and state.
Influence of the Enlightenment
Political philosophers of the Enlightenment fueled revolution in the Americas and France. Thomas Jeffersons
Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights all incorporate
Enlightenment ideas.
The French Revolution
The ideas of the Enlightenment and French participation in the American Revolution influenced the French people to
view their government in new ways. They overthrew the absolute monarchy and established a new government.
Causes of the French Revolution
o Society divided into three Estates (classes)
o First - Wealthy clergy
o Second - Wealthy nobility Top jobs in government, courts, military
o Third - Bourgeoisie Included the middle class (bankers, merchants, lawyers, doctors etc) and poorest
members of society (rural peasants and urban workers). The Third Estate was burdened with most of the
taxes, which left workers unhappy, and brought about economic problems that left many unemployed,
homeless, & hungry.
Events of the French Revolution
o Storming of the Bastille
o Citizens of the Third Estate feared royal troops were going to take control of Paris.
o They surrounded the Bastille, an old fortress serving as a prison, demanding weapons they believed were
inside.
o French military commander opened fire on crowd, prompting them to storm the Bastille.
o During the storming of the Bastille, the crown killed the commander and the guards. They released all
prisoners inside, but found no weapons.
o The storming of the Bastille marks the start of the revolution.
o Reign of Terror
o 1793-1794
o Led by Maximillian Robespierre, the head of the Committee of Public Safety.
o The Committee put on trial anyone who was thought to have resisted the revolution.

o Throughout the reign of terror, more than 300,000 people were arrested, and more than 17,000 were executed
by the guillotine.
o The French Assembly, Parliament, ended the committee, and Robespierre was arrested and executed to end
Reign of Terror.
Outcomes of the French Revolution
o The French revolution ended the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI, while supporters of a Constitutional
monarchy took over the legislature.
o Internal division led to the rise of Napoleon, who took the position of French Consul after a coup dtat in
1799. Napoleon, a military hero, was highly regarded among the French people, and the politicians in office
believed he would support their goals. As the ruler of France, Napoleon quickly centralized power and declared
himself Emperor.

The Age of Reason

The sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries brought many changes in the arts, literature, and political
philosophy. The Age of Reason witnessed inventions and innovations in technology that stimulated trade and
transportation. The baroque style of music and architecture followed the renaissance, which then led to a more classical
style.
Representative composers, artists, philosophers, and writers
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer in the baroque style of music. Bach composed both sacred and secular
music in the baroque style.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a German composer in the Classical style of music. Mozart composed over 600 works,
beginning at the age of five.
Voltaire was a French Philosopher known for his support of civil liberties, religious freedom, and free trade.
New forms of literature evolved, such as the novel. Miguel de Cervants was a Spanish Novelist who wrote Don
Quixote. The novel is one of the earliest works of fiction, and became one of the most popular of all time.
Eugne Delacroix was a French Painter who was instrumental in transitioning artistic style to the Romantic School of the
nineteenth century. Many paintings of the Age of Reason depicted classical subjects, public events, natural scenes, and
living people (portraits).
New technologies also helped to stimulate trade and increase transportation.
The construction of all-weather roads improved year-round transport and trade.
New design in farm tools increased productivity, bringing about an agricultural revolution.
Improvements in ship design lowered the cost of transport, increasing trade.