Unit 4 – Expansion of Thought

1. Unit 4 – Expansion of Thought MWH-5.1, 5.2

2. I. What’s Really Out There • Before the Scientific Revolution ideas were based on: • Ancient Greeks and Romans. • Biblical teachings of the Church • Columbus sailed using Ptolemy’s map (drawn in 150 AD) • Europeans began to question everything

3. II. Astronomy • Nicolaus Copernicus • In early 1500s concluded that the Earth orbited the Sun (heliocentric) • Instead of the Sun around the Earth (geocentric) • Didn’t report his findings until right before his death • Feared reprisals from the Church • Johannes Kepler confirmed Copernicus using math • Finds planets travel in ellipses

4. II. Astronomy • Galileo Galilei • Invented the 1st telescope • Studied the planets • Other scientists began to use observation and questioning to see the world • Scientific Method

5. III. Church Reaction • Church was extremely powerful at the beginning of the Sci. Rev. • New science went against Church teachings • Heliocentric vs Geocentric • Going against the Church made it look weak • Church officials feared questioning 1 teaching might lead to more

6. III. Church Reaction • Galileo used his telescope and his observations went against the Church • Tried as a heretic • One who goes against the teachings of a church • He was not excommunicated, but was found guilty • He was ordered to deny his claims • Spent the rest his life on house arrest but his ideas continued to spread

7. I. Enlightenment • Cultural movement in Europe & US to reform society and improve knowledge • New ideas in many areas • Based on ideals from Scientific Rev.

8. II. Political Thought • Thomas Hobbes • People form a social contract w/gov’t • They give up their rights to that gov’t • Gov’t provides order and security • John Locke • All people have the right to life, liberty, & property • Gov’t’s job is to protect these rights • People should overthrow a gov’t that failed to do so

9. II. Political Thought • Strong influence on the American and French Revolutions • Three other outcomes: • Helps spread the idea of progress • People thought it was possible to make society better • Western society became more secular

10. II. Political Thought • Some thought best gov’t was a monarch who respected the people • Known as an enlightened despot • Tried to influence rulers with mild success • Frederick the Great (Prussia) gave some rights but continued serfdom • Many thought democracy was best • Especially individual rights

11. III. Social Equality • All members of society have equal treatment, opportunity, & access to resources • Politically, this means equal rights • Economically, this means spreading wealth • Some say connected b/c income inequalities mean no real equality • Too many factors for equality or should society minimize inequities

12. IV. Constitutionalism • Concept that gov’t doesn’t derive power from itself but from a written set of laws that only gives the gov’t certain powers • Opposite of: • Monarchy – king or queen • Theocracy – derived from set of religious beliefs • Dictatorship – will of one person

13. IV. Constitutionalism • Leads to limited gov’t • Gov’t cannot act against the constitution • ALL people have to follow the rules • US Constitution used Enlightenment ideas from: • Montesquieu – separation of powers (3 branches) • Locke – power belongs to the people • Voltaire – freedom of speech and religion • CesareBeccaria – fair justice system

14. V. Nationalism • Love and loyalty to one’s nation • Nationality • Ethnicity • Language • Culture • History • Religion • People that share those usually want their own nation

15. V. Nationalism • United States felt this • British colonies grew • They had self-government • People began to see themselves less like British subjects • Declared their independence • Fought American Revolution