The Enlightenment and Its Impact on the Atlantic World (1750-1900)
This page provides an overview of the Enlightenment period and its significant influence on societies from 1750 to 1900, particularly in the Atlantic world. The Enlightenment represented a shift from traditional thinking to reason-based approaches, challenging established monarchies and religious institutions.
Definition: The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 18th century that prioritized reason, science, and individualism over accepted traditions and institutions.
Key developments arising from the Enlightenment included:
- Challenging the roles of monarchs and the church
- Planting seeds of rebellion in various countries, including the United States and France
The Enlightenment drew upon ideas from the Scientific Revolution, Humanism, and the Renaissance. It emphasized empiricism, which was championed by thinkers like Francis Bacon.
Vocabulary: Empiricism is the theory that knowledge comes from sensory experiences and observations of natural phenomena.
The clash between new Enlightenment ideas and old thinking led to revolutions with two main aims:
- Independence from imperial powers
- Constitutional representation
Example: The American Revolutionary War was sparked by Enlightenment ideals, seeking independence from British rule and establishing a representative government.
The concept of nationalism also emerged during this period, defined as intense loyalty to others of the same language and culture. This idea posed a threat to Europe's multi-ethnic empires.
Highlight: The Enlightenment laid the groundwork for major political and social changes, including the rise of nationalism and the concept of social contract theory.