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Hum 104, Lecture notes class III

Chapter 16 Baroque II, Revolutions in Science and Politics

The time had arrived for the geocentric theory of the universe to be found not valid. The first of the age to espouse the heliocentric model was Polish thinker and astronomer, Copernicus (1543). It was over a century later in 1687 that Sir Isaac Newton proved it using mathematics. This age tried to use simpler proofs to prove theories. Galileo used lenses from Dutch lens grinders to make a telescope that could see stars not visible to the naked eye. This technology ended theories such as the moon having a smooth surface and only earth having a moon when 4 of Jupiter’s could be seen. The theory of inertia came into being, and Newton used math to prove the theory of gravity.

Little happened in medicine, because the church still prohibited the violation of a corpse. Hence, there were no dissections.

Technology produced a vertical clock with an hours and a seconds pendulum. This was the most precise clock to that time.

In political philosophy, Thomas Hobbs theorized absolutism. He thought that an authority figure was needed to keep man’s destructive impulses in check. John Locke believed man’s nature was potentially good and that man could govern on his own.

Don’t forget that exploration and expansion are in full bloom.

Ideas began to be spread among all interested and educated people. Royal academies were founded in England and France for that purpose.

Chapter 17, Age of Reason (1700-1789)

There were 4 major trends as the age began. They were: continued growth in power for the sovereign, centralized states of France, Great Britain (England and Scotland from 1707), Prussia, Austria, Russia, and the Netherlands; return to prominence of the aristocracy; rise of the middle class politically and culturally; and the intellectual and cultural movement of the enlightenment. The enlightenment saw truth sought through math and science, rationalism, empiricism, skepticism, and the scientific method.

In art, music and architecture the movement was from Baroque to Rococo and then to Neoclassical. Movement was also away from religious themes and toward the secular.

Politically, the era was pretty calm with no wars in Europe from 1715-1789. Don’t forget, however, that the American Revolution involved Great Britain and, to a lesser extent, France from 1775-1783. There was reasonable economic growth, partly because of exploration and colonies. Population had begun to shift from rural to urban. Aristocrats made up 3% of the population, but they had most of the money and power. The wealthier merchants were increasing and had the next largest slice of the money.

Great Britain had turned to the German Hanoverian kings after Queen Anne’s death in 1714. The House of Hanover, rulers of the Hanover principality, stemmed from a great grandson of James I. Of these kings, George I ruled from 1714-1727. His primary interest was in Germany, and he allowed Parliament to exercise most power in England. George II was king from 1727-1760. He, along with Austria and Prussia, got kind of suckered into a 7 year war with France, but won. Great Britain got France’s North American and Indian possessions. Great Britain found itself on center stage in European affairs until the early 20th century. George III (1760-1820) spent much time quarreling with Parliament, and this distraction hastened the American Revolution.

In France the monarchy began to be seen as inefficient as taxes increased to support bureaucrats and armies. France lost wealth and territory as a result of the 7 years war. This trend continued after France supported the American colonies during that revolution. French aristocrats began a resurgence during the reign of Louis XV (1715-1774) and worked against him. The commoners suffered under the pressure on Louis’ reign by the aristocrats. Louis XVI (1774-1792) tried to begin social reform, but it was too little too late. Most groups united against the crown and aristocrats and the French Revolution began in 1789 and raged on for 10 years.

In Central Europe Prussia, Russia, and Austria were the power players. Frederick II, known as Frederick the Great, made Prussia into a first class power. In Austria under Maria Theresa (House of Hapsburgs) and her son, Joseph, a fully fair tax and economic system was created that modernized the nation. Much of this progress was undone after Joseph’s death by his successors who restored the aristocracy because of being scared by the French Revolution.

Peter the Great started reform in Russia and made it a power. Catherine the Great tried to continue the path, but the vastness of Russia and its problems allowed autocrats to stop reform for a century.

Neoclassicism after 1750 replaced Rococo. It looked it back to antiquity with interest being generated by the unearthing of Pompeii from Mt. Vesuvius’ lava. Grand history subjects became favored.

This was also the age of the Philosophes.