1. Enlightenment Ideas Spread Chapter 17, section 2

2. New Ideas Challenge Society • The Encyclopedia and other writings became more easily available • Caused more people to believe that change was necessary to reach a fair and just society • During the Middle Ages, most people had accepted that society was based on divine right, strict social classes and a belief in heaven as a reward for suffering in life (this seemed irrational to philosophers) • But Enlightenment believers thought a just society should mean happiness for all people

3. Censorship • To prevent these ideas from spreading, Church and government officials began to censor Enlightenment ideas • Burned books • Banned books • Imprisoned writers • Writers began to write their ideas down in fiction, to hide their philosophies and keep them accessible at the same time • Jonathan Swift, “A Modest Proposal”

4. Enlightenment Culture • Rococo style art: less religious focus, more pastel, nature • Enlightenment thinkers thought this style was superficial • Enlightenment caused new forms of music • “classical” music was played at opera houses, so regular people could hear it • Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • New literature with philosophical plots: Robinson Crusoe

5. Enlightened Despots • Absolute rulers who liked Enlightenment ideas and tried to use their power to bring political and social change • Frederick II (The Great): Loved Voltaire, reduced torture, allowed free press, religious tolerance. But he did still want total power

6. Enlightened Despots, cont. • Catherine the Great • Read philosophy • Wrote letters with Diderot and Voltaire • Abolished torture, established religious tolerance • Criticized serfdom, gave nobles a charter of rights • Main goal still was total power • Joseph II • Religious tolerance for Jews and Protestants • Allowed free press • Abolished serfdom • But everything went back to the way it was before after he died

7. Enlightenment does not reach everyone quickly • Most Europeans, especially the peasants, were not affected by all these cultural changes • However, ideas about equality and social justice did appeal to peasants • In the 1800s, war and political upheaval would transform their lives