Chapter 16

Transformations In Europe

1500-1750

How were Culture & Ideas Changing?

• Sale of Indulgences

• Martin Luther• John Calvin• Protestant

Reformation• Religious

Wars• Counter

Reformation

Religious Changes

Traditional Culture & Witch Hunts

• Conflict between formal religion & pre-Christian local beliefs & practices

• Witch hunts

What was the “Scientific

Revolution”?• Challenged

prevailing conceptions of physical world

• Sought natural causes to explain universe

The Early Enlightenment

• Scientific method could analyze economics, politics, social organization to create policies

Who Am I?

• Leviathan• Religion should be

separate from politics• Emphasized reason• People are fearful and

predatory• State should have

“absolute power”

Who Am I?

• People are born “good”

• God given “Natural Rights”

• Life, Liberty, Property• Power of state should

be limited• Social contract• Freedom of Religion

Who Am I?

• The accused should have rights

• Death penalty and torture are wrong

• Education essential• Right to fair and

speedy trial• Punishment should fit

the crime

Who Am I?

• Limit power of King• Three Branches of

Government• Separation of Powers• Checks and Balances

Who Am I?

• Individuals have rights

• Majority rule• Reason and individual

rights essential• Individuals should be

allowed to experience and explore life.

Who Am I?

• Single legislature with advisory board

• Advisory board would work for the government and not receive paid

• Slavery wrong and should be abolished

• Simple lifestyle was best• Inventor• Diplomat

Who Am I?

• Trusted the people to make best decisions

• Limited government• Education crucial to

success of democracy

• All should have the opportunity for education

Who Am I?

• All things should be explained logically and reasonably

• Fought against intolerance, tyranny, superstition

• Freedom of thought and respect for all

• Religion too powerful• Literature useful for

understanding problems of the day

• “Candide”

Who Am I?

• Fought for the rights of women

• Fought against inequalities in education

• Equal opportunity for all• People should be judged

on individual merit and moral virtue, not on gender

Who Am I?

• “Wealth of Nations”• Self-interest guides the

efficient use of resources• “free enterprise”• People who earned

money benefited themselves and society

• Charity virtuous but society should not depend upon it

Social & Economic Changes

• Wealthy urban bourgeoisie thrived

• Built relationships w/ monarchs

• Bought land & titles• “Married up” • Facilitated trade• Joint-stock companies• Stock exchanges• Transportation

infrastructure

How did life change for Peasants & Laborers?

West Europe=Serfdom declined

East Europe=gained prominence

African slaves working in Americas contributed to Europe’s economy

How were women & families changing?• Women’s status

same as husband & family

• Love, affection led to slight increase in status

• Late marriage led to increased independence from parents

• Low birth rate• Emphasis on

education led to more schools

• Women barred

Political Changes

• Monarchs power increased

• Strong armies• Elaborate

bureaucracies• High taxes

Monarchies in England & France

English Bill of RightsBourbon Kings Develop “absolutist”

style government

Versailles

Warfare & Diplomacy

New military technologies (cannon, muskets), & large standing armies or navies

Paying the Piper

High cost of war led rulers to form alliances with commercial elites. Spain’s economy declined with expulsion of Jews, Protestants, and Muslims.

Summary

• The religious reformations combined with the Scientific Revolution led the way for the Enlightenment, an age of reason, and the movement to apply newly discovered natural laws to social behavior.

• Foreign and domestic trade spawned rapid growth in European cities and the rise of a wealthy commercial class, with Amsterdam in the Netherlands the most vivid example. Agricultural improvements increased production but the Little Ice Age and increased mining of forests caused more difficulties for the poor.

• The Holy Roman Empire declined in strength from religious fragmentation while Spain and France increased centralized power. The English increased naval power and established direct taxation and a central bank, making the nation stronger financially than other European powers.