Chapter 6 Section 3

The Enlightenment Spreads

A World of Ideas

• 1700s Paris was full of ideas and culture• Wealthy women in Paris held gatherings in

their homes• These gatherings became known as Salons• Scientists, Philosophers, writers, artists and

intellectuals exchanged and discussed ideas

Denis Diderot• Marie-Therese Geoffirn helped finance a new set of

books by Diderot• The books were collections of writings by Philosophers• The Encyclopedia helped spread the ideas of

enlightenment• The Catholic Church & French government were angry

with the books• Enlightenment ideas continued to spread through

newspapers, pamphlets, & songs• The ideas really captured the attention of the middle

class

New artistic styles• The enlightenment ideas were reflected in music,

literature, painting, and architecture• Neoclassical style: art reflected the Greek & Roman

styles• Baroque: art/architecture with grand, ornate designs– Versailles Palace is a good example of Baroque style

Music and Literature• Bach & Handel had written dramatic music• Classical began during the enlightenment• Haydn, Mozart, & Beethoven became the greatest

composers of the time period.

Music & Literature con’t…• 18th century authors developed new styles of writing• Several wrote the first novels; lengthy works of

fiction– The novels had deep plots, suspense, and explored the

character’s thoughts and feelings– Very popular with the middle class

• Samuel Richardson’s Pamela is considered the 1st English novel

• Henry Fielding wrote Tom Jones which is considered another English masterpiece

Enlightenment & Monarchy • Many philosophes believed the monarchy was the

best form of government• The tried to convince kings & queens to follow the

ideas of enlightenment• Enlightened Despots: monarchs who embraced the

ideas of enlightenment• Frederick II of Prussia (Frederick the Great) 1740-1786– Wanted to reform Prussia– Granted religious freedom, reduced censorship– Reformed the justice system & abolished torture– Believed serfdom was wrong, but needed the support of the

wealthy landowners, so did nothing to change serfdom

Enlightened Despots con’t… • Joseph II of Austria: 1780-1790– Legal reforms & freedom of the press– Granted freedom of religion– He abolished serfdom and said the peasants should be

paid cash for their labor– Nobles firmly resisted this change– Most of his reforms were undone when he died in 1790

Enlightened Despots con’t…• Catherine the Great of Russia: 1762-1796• Sought to create some reforms in Russia, but still had

absolute authority• She created a commission to review Russia’s laws• She wanted religious freedom, to abolish torture,

and remove capital punishment– None of these goals were reached

• She did implement some limited reforms, but none that really improved the lives of the peasants

• 1773: the serfs attempted an uprising and Catherine sent the army to crush it

Enlightened Despots con’t…• Catherine then realized she needed the nobles to

maintain control in Russia and granted them absolute power over the serfs

• Russian Expansion– Gain control over the straits leading to the Black Sea from

the Ottoman Empire– 1772: split Poland with Austria and Prussia

• When her reign ended Russia was on the verge of becoming an international power