The Enlightenment: Crash Course European History #18

Summary

This Crash Course episode explores the Enlightenment, a period where reason and critical thinking challenged traditional beliefs. It discusses the impact of global exploration on European perspectives, the rise of new commodities, and the philosophical shifts that questioned social hierarchies and the role of the individual. Key figures like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Hume are highlighted for their contributions to ideas on governance, education, and economics, which collectively paved the way for modern values and societal reforms.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The Enlightenment was a period of significant political and social change, emphasizing the application of reason to traditional ideas and practices.
• 🏙️ The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 challenged the belief in divine punishment and prompted new perspectives on the relationship between natural disasters and human events.
• 📚 The Enlightenment encouraged the questioning of old ideas and the exploration of new concepts in science, society, and government.
• 🌱 The introduction of new foods from the Americas, such as potatoes and corn, helped to alleviate famine and change the European diet.
• 🌏 Europeans' increased travel and exposure to different cultures led to a broader understanding of social structures and the potential for more equitable societies.
• 🤣 Writers like Montesquieu and Voltaire used satire to criticize outdated social norms and promote the values of the Enlightenment.
• 📈 The rise of the middle class and the values of hard work, practicality, and domesticity were promoted through literature and social practices.
• 🎨 The Enlightenment salons became hubs for intellectual exchange and the spread of new ideas, influencing fashion and social norms.
• 📖 The Encyclopédie was a key text of the Enlightenment, promoting reason, debate, and the examination of all aspects of society.
• 🌿 Philosophers like David Hume and Jean-Jacques Rousseau contributed to the shift towards secularism and the emphasis on individual reason and natural living.
• 🌍 The Enlightenment's focus on reason and individualism laid the groundwork for modern concepts of human rights, democracy, and social reform.

Q & A

What significant change in historical perspective occurred between the Istanbul earthquake of 1648 and the Lisbon earthquake of 1755?

The significant change was the shift in how Europeans perceived natural disasters. While the Istanbul earthquake was seen as a supernatural sign or punishment, the Lisbon earthquake led to more rational discussions about the causes of such events, reflecting the growing influence of the Enlightenment and the questioning of traditional beliefs.

What is the Enlightenment, and how did it challenge traditional ideas?

The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Light, was an intellectual movement that emphasized the use of reason and rationality to challenge and reform traditional ideas. It advocated for exposing old ideas to scrutiny to determine their continued relevance and value, shining the 'light of reason' on long-held traditions.

How did the introduction of new commodities like coffee, tea, chocolate, and tobacco impact European society during the Enlightenment?

The introduction of these commodities led to experimentation and changes in everyday life. They contributed to a greater 'sobriety' and 'civility' in European society, as noted by a diplomat, and symbolized the increasing abundance and novelty in the lives of Europeans.

What role did the cultivation of new foods from the Americas, such as potatoes and corn, play in European history?

The cultivation of these new foods increased the available calories, reducing the risk of famine and subsistence living that had been prevalent throughout Europe's history. It also introduced the idea that the world did not have to be perpetually on the brink of starvation and catastrophe.

How did travel and exposure to other cultures influence European perspectives during the Enlightenment?

Travelers discovered different social orders and behaviors in other parts of the world, such as the less quarrelsome nature of people in Asia and the different values placed on individual skills versus parentage. These observations contributed to the questioning and reform of European social structures and values.

Who was Montesquieu, and how did he criticize outmoded ways of life?

Montesquieu was a French jurist and philosopher who used satire, particularly in his work 'Persian Letters,' to criticize both European and Eastern societies. His writings exposed the flaws in both cultures, suggesting that neither was perfect and that traditional ways of life should be questioned.

What is the significance of Voltaire's novel 'Candide' in the context of the Enlightenment?

'Candide' is a satirical novel by Voltaire that criticizes overweening rulers and their corruptions. It promotes values such as honesty and simplicity, and it reflects the Enlightenment's challenge to the idea that we live in the best of all possible worlds, as evidenced by the horrors and injustices depicted in the novel.

How did Jean-Jacques Rousseau's ideas on education reform reflect Enlightenment values?

Rousseau's novel 'Emile' describes a boy's upbringing that emphasizes practical skills, natural growth, and individuality, rather than rote learning and religious indoctrination. This approach to education embodies the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, practicality, and the development of the individual's natural talents.

What was the role of the Enlightenment salon, and how did it contribute to the spread of Enlightenment ideas?

The Enlightenment salon was a gathering in a wealthy woman's home where the latest ideas, books, and philosophers were discussed. These salons contributed to the spread of Enlightenment ideas by providing a platform for intellectual exchange and fostering a culture of curiosity and critical thinking.

How did the Enlightenment influence the movement to abolish slavery?

Enlightenment thought, with its emphasis on reason, freedom, and human rights, fed into the rising movements to abolish slavery in Britain, France, the Netherlands, and their colonies. Works like 'The Social Contract' by Rousseau and the memoir of Olaudah Equiano contributed to the growing awareness of the inhumanity of the slave trade and the need for abolition.

What was the impact of Adam Smith's 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of The Wealth of Nations' on economic thought and policy?

Adam Smith's work is foundational to modern economic theory, advocating for manufacturing, the division of labor, and free trade. He is known as the father of the free market and free trade, promoting the idea that individual self-interests in a laissez-faire market lead to a balanced, harmonious, and prosperous society.

How did the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and individualism shape cultural and political developments?

The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and individualism led to the questioning of traditional authority and the promotion of individual rights and freedoms. This shaped cultural developments, such as the rise of the middle class and changes in fashion, as well as political developments, including the movements for the abolition of slavery and the development of democratic ideals.