Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments
Abigail Young
8 min read
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#AP European History: Unit 4 - Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments 💡
Hey there! Let's get you prepped for your AP Euro exam with a super-focused review of Unit 4. We're diving into the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and how these big ideas changed Europe. Let's make this stick!
#🔗 Key Topics
#🔗 Reason
Reason is your rock here. It's all about using evidence and logic. This builds on the Renaissance and Reformation, but it also challenges old religious and scientific ideas. Think of it as a shift from 'because we said so' to 'prove it!'
#🔗 The Scientific Revolution
#Astronomy & Physics
- Copernicus: Heliocentric model (sun-centered universe) ☀️.
Remember Copernicus for Center of the universe is the sun.
Galileo's observations of the moon proved it wasn't a perfect sphere.
Think of the apple falling on his head - gravity!
Caption: Galileo's illustration of the moon. His observations showed it was not a uniform sphere.
#Scientific Method
- Descartes: Deductive reasoning ("I think, therefore I am").
Descartes is like a detective deducing clues!
Bacon is like a baker, testing recipes through experimentation.
Don't overstate the changes! Alchemy and astrology were still popular, even among scientists. Religion and tradition still influenced most people's views.
#🔗 The Enlightenment
This is HUGE for the exam. The Enlightenment is all about applying reason to society, not just science. It's the heart of Unit 4!
#Key Ideas
- Philosophes: Intellectuals who gathered in salons and coffeehouses, exchanging ideas. ☕
- Voltaire: Advocated for freedom of speech and religious toleration.
Voltaire was a voice for free speech.
Diderot did it with the Encyclopedia.
Locke gave us the keys to natural rights.
Rousseau was rooting for the people.
Caption: Frontispiece of the Encyclopedia, symbolizing reason and philosophy revealing truth.
#Impact
- Politics: Calls for more democratic governance and individual rights.
- Monarchs: Some, like Catherine the Great, adopted Enlightenment ideas to strengthen their rule (Enlightened Absolutism).
- Religion: Rise of Deism (belief in a creator but not organized religion). ⛪
- Feminism: Early feminists used Enlightenment ideas to advocate for women's rights, though many philosophes still held traditional views.
#🔗 Arts
#Baroque vs. Neoclassical
- Baroque: (Earlier) Dramatic, emotional, and often religious. (Think of the art in Unit 2).
- Neoclassical: (Later) Emphasized reason, order, and classical themes (Greek and Roman). 🏛️
Caption: Jacques Louis David's Oath of the Horatii, a prime example of neoclassical art.
#Shifting Focus
- Arts moved from royal and religious subjects to individual experiences and ideas.
- Increased interest in non-European cultures and environments.
#🔗 Everyday Life
#17th Century Struggles
- Population decline in Europe - a tough time to be alive.
#18th Century Changes
#Demographic Shift
- Population growth due to better agriculture (potatoes and new techniques). 🥔
- Urbanization (growth of cities) increased as fewer farm workers were needed.
- Rise in births to unmarried women and some use of birth control.
- More families had income, leading to more space for children.
Caption: Frederick the Great inspecting a potato harvest.
#Medical Advancements
- Smallpox vaccination was developed at the end of the century, saving many lives. 💉
- Food supply and earlier marriages had a bigger impact on population growth than medical changes.
#🔗 Politics
#Enlightened Absolutism
- Monarchs used Enlightenment ideas to strengthen their rule.
Think of them as enlightened but still absolute.
Caption: Portrait of Catherine the Great.
#Final Exam Focus
- Time Management: Quickly identify the core concepts in each question. Don't get bogged down in details you don't need.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid oversimplifying complex topics. Acknowledge nuances and different viewpoints.
- FRQs: Start with a clear thesis statement, use specific evidence, and make sure to address all parts of the question. Practice writing under timed conditions.
#High-Priority Topics
- The Enlightenment: Its core ideas, key figures, and impact on society and politics.
- Scientific Revolution: How it challenged classical thought and led to new ways of thinking.
- Enlightened Absolutism: How some monarchs adopted Enlightenment ideas to strengthen their rule.
- Demographic Changes: Population growth, urbanization, and their effects on society.
#Common Question Types
- Multiple Choice: Expect questions that test your understanding of key concepts and figures.
- Short Answer: Be prepared to explain the impact of the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment.
- Free Response: Analyze the extent to which Enlightenment ideas influenced politics and society.
#Practice Questions
Practice Question
#Multiple Choice Questions
-
Which of the following BEST describes the primary goal of the philosophes during the Enlightenment? (A) To restore traditional religious authority (B) To advocate for absolute monarchy (C) To apply reason and logic to improve society (D) To promote the study of classical literature
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Which of the following is a major contribution of Isaac Newton to the Scientific Revolution? (A) The development of the heliocentric model (B) The discovery of the laws of motion and universal gravitation (C) The invention of the printing press (D) The creation of the Encyclopedia
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Enlightened Absolutists like Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great sought to: (A) Establish parliamentary democracies (B) Implement radical social reforms (C) Strengthen their states through rational reforms (D) Promote the spread of traditional religious practices
#Free Response Question
Analyze the ways in which the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment challenged traditional sources of authority and transformed European society.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
- Example: "The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment significantly challenged traditional sources of authority by emphasizing reason and observation, leading to profound transformations in European society, including new scientific understandings, political ideologies, and social norms."
- Evidence (2-3 points): Specific examples of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment and their impact on European society.
- Examples:
- Scientific Revolution: Copernicus' heliocentric model, Newton's laws of motion, the scientific method.
- Enlightenment: Locke's natural rights, Voltaire's advocacy for free speech, Rousseau's idea of popular sovereignty.
- Changes in society: Growth of scientific societies, the rise of new political ideas, and increased literacy.
- Examples:
- Analysis (2-3 points): Analysis of how these changes challenged traditional authority and transformed society.
- Examples:
- How the Scientific Revolution challenged religious explanations of the universe.
- How Enlightenment ideas led to calls for more democratic governments.
- How new social norms developed due to urbanization and changing family structures.
- Examples:
- Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic.
- Example: Acknowledging that not all Enlightenment thinkers agreed on everything and that some monarchs used Enlightenment ideas to strengthen their rule rather than reform society.
That's it! You've got this. Take a deep breath, stay calm, and remember all the cool stuff you've learned. Go ace that exam!
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