Notes: Chapter 22, Section 3
“The Enlightenment Spreads”
A World of Ideas
♦ In the 1700s, Paris was the
cultural and intellectual
capital of Europe.
♦ The buzz of
Enlightenment ideas was
most intense in the
mansions of several
wealthy women of Paris.
There, in their large
drawing rooms, these
hostesses held regular
social gatherings called
salons, where
philosophers, writers,
artists, and scientists
gathered.
Diderot’s Encyclopedia
♦ Denis Diderot created a
large set of books to
which many leading
scholars of Europe
contributed articles and
essays.
♦ Diderot called this set of
books an Encyclopedia.
♦ The salons and
Encyclopedia helped
spread the ideas of the
enlightenment all over
Europe.
Neoclassical Artistic Style
♦ European art before the
Enlightenment was
dominated by the baroque
style, a grand and ornate
design.
♦ Under the influence of the
Enlightenment, styles
befan to change to more
simple, elegant styles
based on themes from the
classical world.
Changes in Music and Literature
♦ During the
Enlightenment, a new
lighter, more elegant
style of music known
as classical emerged.
♦ Writers during the
Enlightenment also
developed new styles.
Many authors began
writing novels, long,
fictionalized stories.
The Enlightenment and
Monarchy
♦ Many Enlightenment
thinkers believed the best
form of government was a
monarchy led by an
enlightened despot, a king
who respected the rights
of his people.
♦ Famous enlightened
despots were Frederick the
Great of Prussia, Joseph II
of Austria, and Catherine
the Great of Russia.
Frederick the Great
♦ Frederick granted many
religious freedoms,
reduced censorship, and
improved education.
♦ Frederick also reformed
the justice system and
abolished the use of
torture.
♦ However, Frederick did
not end serfdom in
Prussia.
Joseph II
♦ The most radical
enlightened despot.
♦ Joseph introduced legal
reforms and freedom of
the press.
♦ He also supported
freedom of worship, even
for Protestants, Orthodox
Christians, and Jews.
♦ In his most radical reform,
Joseph abolished serfdom
and ordered that peasants
be paid for their labor with
cash.
Catherine the Great
♦ Catherine formed a
commission to review
Russia’s laws. Her
reforms were based on the
ideas of Montesquieu and
Beccaria.
♦ Among other changes,
Catherine recommended
allowing religious
toleration and abolishing
torture and capital
punishment.
♦ However, a peasant revolt
in 1773 changed
Catherine’s views.