The fourth unit in my AP European History course focuses on the transition toward a more scientific mindset in early modern Europe as a result of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment.

Unit Guide and Primary Sources

These files contain all of the primary sources and instructional materials available of this unit in a single file.

YouTube Playlist

Lessons and Assignments

Click one of the thumbnails to proceed directly to a lesson.

Unit Study Guide

Click to download a brief study guide for the entire unit.

The Scientific Revolution: An Introduction
COMPLETE BEFORE
​MONDAY, 11/30
One of the biggest shifts in thinking that occurred in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries is a transition from accepting traditional knowledge on faith to challenging this knowledge and believing only what can be supported by evidence - either by logic (rationalism) or observation (empiricism).

Textbook Readings

Kagan, 417-424   
AND/OR    
Wood, 148-150

E-Lecture Available on YouTube

PowerPoint Presentation(s)

Documents and Materials

Click the PDF icon to access some of Rene Descartes' writings.

For more information on Rene Descartes, click here.

A Revolution in Reasoning

Before the Scientific Revolution, philosophers relied exclusively on Aristotle's deductive reasoning to solve problems and there was no "scientific method" in the sense that we think of it today.  Sir Francis Bacon promoted inductive reasoning as a way for natural philosophers (scientists) to pursue truth in the natural world.

The Scientific Revolution:  Continued
COMPLETE BEFORE
​WEDNESDAY, 12/2
One of the biggest debates that defined the Scientific Revolution was the debate over whether the universe was geocentric (with the earth at the center of the universe), as was traditionally believed, or heliocentric (with the earth revolving around the sun).

Textbook Readings

Kagan, 428-438    
AND/OR    
Wood, 150-157, 137-138

Video Lecture

Documents and Materials

Click the PDF icon to access Voltaire's essay on Sir Francis Bacon.

For more information on Sir Francis Bacon, click here.

The British Agricultural Revolution
ON YOUR OWN BEFORE
​FRIDAY, 12/4
The British Agricultural Revolution involved the application of scientific principles and emerging capitalist practices to agricultural production, creating a more efficient and commercialized system of agriculture that could feed more people than ever with less people having to farm.

Textbook Readings

Kagan, 455-457    
AND/OR    
​Wood, 207-209

E-Lecture Available on YouTube

PowerPoint Presentation

Introduction to the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was an 18th century intellectual movement that has had a profound influence on Western philosophy. It built on the foundation of the Scientific Revolution and took it a step further in an effort to apply scientific principles to society. In addition to watching these introductory videos and reading the primary source by Immanuel Kant, it would be useful to consult pages 502-504 of your Spielvogel text.

A Comparison

In this video, I briefly compare the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment, explaining how the Scientific Revolution laid the foundations for the Enlightenment.

Values of the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was driven by a set of values, which I explain in this brief video on the values of the Enlightenment.

Primary Source-Based Lecture

In this lecture, I explain the main points of Immanuel Kant's classic essay, "What is Enlightenment?" The primary source is included here.

The Philosophes: Thinkers of the Enlightenment
DATE PENDING
This five part lecture focuses on the philosophes, or thinkers of the Enlightenment, highlights the contributions and accomplishments of Isaac Newton, John Locke, Voltaire, Diderot, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, and Adam Smith.

Newton and Locke: Foundations of the Enlightenment
Isaac Newton and John Locke were seventeenth century thinkers who predated the Enlightenment, but their work laid the foundation for the movement.

For a quick review of the influence of Newton and Lock on the Enlightenment, consult your Spielvogel text on page 505.

Voltaire
Voltaire was the most prominent man of letters of the Enlightenment and his works today are among the most widely read.

For a quick review of Voltaire and his work, consult your Spielvogel text on page 507-508.

Denis Diderot
Denis Diderot, a prolific writer and prominent religious skeptic, is best known for his role as editor of the Encyclopedia. This may seem trivial in an age of Wikipedia, but the idea was very revolutionary at the time!

A very brief treatment of Diderot and his work can be found in your Spielvogel text on page 508.

Political Theory: Montesquieu and Rousseau
The most prominent political theorists of the Enlightenment were Montesquieu and Rousseau. Montesquieu wrote on the structure of government and Rousseau's work addressed the social contract.

An introduction to Montesquieu's work can be found in your Spielvogel text on page 505-506 and Rousseau can be found on 511-513.

Immanuel Kant and Adam Smith
Although France was the epicenter of the Enlightenment, thinkers outside of France contributed, as well. Immanuel Kant and Adam Smith were two of these thinkers.

Kant's "What is Enlightenment?" essay is referenced in your Spielvogel text on page 503 and Adam Smith can be found on 508-510.

PowerPoint Presentation

Enlightenment Rap

I'm not a rapper... but I made a rap about the Enlightenment.

The Enlightenment and Religion
IN CLASS
​WEDNESDAY, 12/10
One of the key defining features of the Enlightenment was the challenging of traditional religious practices.  Philosophes criticized not only a corrupt Church structure, but also the revealed doctrines of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  Voltaire and others advocated Deism, which is a belief in a Supreme Being who governs a universe based on natural law.  These short lectures will explain enlightenment perspectives on religion - especially that of Voltaire.
My talk on Voltaire and Religion, which I recorded in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris, is based on some of Voltaire's writings that can be found in his Philosophical Dictionary.  The excerpt on religion can be accessed here: https://history.hanover.edu/texts/voltaire/volrelig.html 

Enlightened Absolutism
DATE PENDING
Enlightened absolutists attempted to implement enlightened reforms through toleration of religious minorities, reform of governmental and societal institutions, absolute rule, and patronage of the philosophes.  Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Joseph II of Austria all tried, to varying degrees, to use their positions of power to aid the progress of the Enlightenment from the top down.

Textbook Readings

Kagan, 533-543    
AND/OR    
​Wood, 270-275, 278-279

E-Lectures Available on YouTube

PowerPoint Presentation

Documents and Materials

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