AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

1. AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

2. Also known as the Age of Reason • Scientific Revolution laid the foundation for a modern world view based on: • Rationalism = reason is the chief source of knowledge • Secularization = indifference to or rejection of religion or religious consideration • Use the scientific method to make progress towards a better society • Reason could be used to study and question human nature and society • Philosophe = intellectual of the Enlightenment • Want to change the world • Mostly of the nobility and middle class, most are French

3. Salon = elegant drawing rooms, where philosophes meet to discuss and spread ideas • Usually hosted by wealthy women • Enlightenment influenced by two Englishmen: • Newton – find natural laws, using his methods, that govern human society • Locke – people are molded by their experiences and can change with environment • Philosophes began to question ideas that had been long held as absolute truths, such as absolute monarchy and hierarchy in society Scientific Revolution Enlightenment Revolutions

4. Enlightened Monarchs • Also known as Enlightened Absolutists, these are European monarchs who sought to govern using Enlightenment ideals • They were able to play with the ideas of the philosophes without threatening their own power • Did not bring about much reform, thought it would take away from their own power • Three well-known Enlightened Monarchs • Frederick II the Great of Prussia • Catherine the Great of Russia • Joseph II of Austria

5. War of Austrian Succession • Rivalry between the Austrian family, the Hapsburgs, and the Prussian family, the Hollenzollerns • Austrian Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI had no male heir so he issued the Pragmatic Sanction • Stated that the empire could be passed to a female heir, his daughter Maria Theresa • Also all Hapsburg lands would remain intact under one ruler • All European rulers agreed to this • In 1740 Charles dies and Frederick the Great of Prussia, followed quickly by France, violate the Sanction and invade Austrian territory

6. Prussia seizes Silesia, one of the richest Austrian provinces • Great Britain joins the war on the side of Austria against France, Prussia, and Spain • Fought in three areas of the world: • Europe • Asia • North America • At the end of the war in 1748, all property is returned except Silesia, which Prussia keeps

7. Seven Years’ War • Lasts from 1756 to 1763 • Austria is angry about Silesia and wants revenge • Diplomatic Revolution = Austria makes an alliance with traditional enemy France against Prussia • Russia also joins, although they pull out during the war • Due to this, Great Britain allies with Prussia • Rivalries over colonies also played a major role in leading to this war • Areas of conflict: • Europe – all territories returned at war’s end

8. India – known as the Great War for Empire • France leaves India to Britain • North America – also known as the French and Indian War • Britain gains Canada from France and Florida from Spain • Louisiana Territory goes to Spain (for losing Florida) • The war ends with Prussia winning on the European continent and Great Britain winning overseas • The Treaty of Paris makes Great Britain the world’s greatest colonial power