Pre-Enlightenment EuropeUnit 3: Revolution

Central Questions

In order to understand the significance of the Enlightenment, we need to

answer the following:

● What was European society like prior to the Enlightenment?

● What was the European economy like prior to the Enlightenment?

● What did European politics and government look like prior to the

Enlightenment?

Economy

Mercantilism

● Early form of capitalism○ Limited amount of money in the

world

○ Money = gold and silver

● Balance of trade important○ Exports > imports

○ What’s being produced, how it’s

produced, and who it’s sold to is

determined by the government

Political

Absolutism and Monarchy

● Monarchy: government with a king/queen at the head; usually hereditary

● Absolutism: a political system in which a ruler holds total power

● Most European governments were monarchies

○ In the 17th century, absolutism became more popular among rulers

● Average citizen had no way to affect change in government

● Aristocracy (hereditary elite) were the only ones that had access to the king/queen

France Under Louis XIV

Louis XIV takes power 1661 CE

● Established his seat of power in Palace of Versailles

● Ruled for 72 years

● Held absolute power: taxes, foreign policy, religion

● Louis was a devout Catholic; persecuted Protestants, destroyed churches

● “L’Etat, c’est moi”

● Pacified aristocracy by distracting them with parties and prostitutes

Louis XIV

● Louis XIV built palaces, started wars, and financed lavish parties; expenses problematic

● Raised a standing army of 400,000

○ Waged four wars in hopes of total domination

● Louis XIV dies 1715 CE, age 76

○ Left France surrounded by enemies; citizens in poverty

“ [UP] TO THIS MOMENT I HAVE BEEN PLEASED TO ENTRUST THE GOVERNMENT OF MY AFFAIRS TO THE LATE CARDINAL. IT IS NOW TIME THAT I GOVERN THEM MYSELF. YOU [SECRETARIES AND MINISTERS OF STATE] WILL ASSIST ME WITH YOUR COUNSELS WHEN I ASK FOR THEM… . I REQUEST AND ORDER YOU TO SEAL NO ORDERS EXCEPT BY MY COMMAND… . I ORDER YOU NOT TO SIGN ANYTHING, NOT EVEN A PASSPORT . . . WITHOUT MY COMMAND; TO RENDER ACCOUNT TO ME PERSONALLY EACH DAY AND TO FAVOUR NO ONE.”

“YOU ARE ABOUT TO BECOME A GREAT KING. DO NOT IMITATE ME EITHER IN MY TASTE FOR BUILDING OR IN MY LOVE OF WAR. LIVE IN PEACE WITH THE NATIONS. . . . STRIVE TO RELIEVE THE BURDENS OF YOUR PEOPLE IN WHICH I HAVE BEEN SO UNFORTUNATE AS TO FAIL.”

The Romanov Dynasty

● Russia controlled by Mongols until freed by Ivan III (Ivan the Great)

● Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) continued to centralize power

○ Killed or intimidated nobles

○ Tortured dissidents

○ Death led to anarchy in Russia

● Later successor Peter the Great restored power and order

○ Forced nobles to educate themselves in Europe

○ Russia began to Westernize

○ Increased size and strength of military

Social

Education/Religion

● European education focused only on producing religious officials,

physicians, and lawyers

● Education was restricted to the wealthy male elite○ Nobility and merchants

● Most education was provided via religious institutions○ Teachers were often monks

○ Education classes covered Biblical studies and Aristotle’s liberal arts

(grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, music)

Superstition

Superstition: widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation

● In the 15th and 16th centuries, 40,000 people convicted of witchcraft or

sorcery and executed○ Many more (unknown #) killed by mobs/neighbors

● “Witches” were blamed for poor harvests, bad weather, illness○ Often considered to have made a deal with the Devil

● Superstition especially strong in rural areas○ Folk magic and medical remedies

Child-Rearing

● Families had many children for many reasons○ Used for labor

○ Many died in infancy

● Relationship between parent and child was distant with little to no

emotional attachment

● Children raised in incredibly harsh environments with little parental support○ “Spare the rod, spoil the child”

○ Expected to act and dress as small adults

Exit Ticket (COMPLETE SENTENCES)

With a partner, on one half sheet of paper, EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWERS:

1. Summarize what European society looked like prior to the Enlightenment

2. Summarize what the European economy looked like prior to the

Enlightenment

3. Summarize what European politics and government looked like prior to the

Enlightenment

4. What was William Harvey’s contribution to the Scientific Revolution?

5. What were the causes of the Scientific Revolution?

6. In your own words, as best as you can, explain the philosophy behind: “I

think, therefore I am.”