AP Euro UNIT 4 REVEW (Everything You NEED to Know!)

This paragraph delves into the scientific revolution and its profound impact on Europe's intellectual landscape. It begins with the geocentric model of the universe championed by Aristotle and Ptolemy, which placed Earth at the center. The paragraph then introduces three pivotal figures who challenged this view: Copernicus, who proposed the heliocentric model; Kepler, who determined planets moved in ellipses; and Galileo, who used the telescope to observe celestial bodies. These advancements were met with resistance from the Catholic Church, leading to the banning of books by Copernicus and Kepler and Galileo's house arrest. The paragraph also touches on the shift in medical understanding, moving from Galen's humoral theory to more empirical approaches by Paracelsus and William Harvey, which emphasized observation and experimentation.

The second paragraph explores the Enlightenment, a period marked by the development of new methods of reasoning and a departure from ancient Greek philosophy. Francis Bacon is credited with inductive reasoning, which starts with observations and builds to general principles, while René Descartes is known for deductive reasoning, starting with broad principles and working down to specifics. The paragraph also discusses the persistence of older beliefs, such as astrology and alchemy, alongside these scientific advancements. Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and Denis Diderot criticized social and religious institutions, advocating for natural rights, free speech, and rationality. Voltaire's deism and Diderot's atheism further challenged the Church's authority, as did David Hume's skepticism, which questioned the Church's dogmas.

This section examines how Enlightenment ideas infiltrated society, politics, and religion. It discusses the shift of religion from a public to a private matter, with movements like German Pietism emphasizing personal religious experience over state belonging. The paragraph also covers political philosophers like John Locke, who introduced the concept of natural rights and the social contract, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who expanded on this with the general will. Mary Wollstonecraft's challenge to Rousseau's views on gender roles is also highlighted. Adam Smith's economic theories, which promoted free markets over mercantilism, are discussed, showing the reach of Enlightenment thinking into economic policy. The paragraph concludes by noting how the spread of Enlightenment ideas through the printing press and institutions like salons laid the groundwork for future revolutions.

The fourth paragraph discusses the concept of enlightened absolutism, where monarchs adopted Enlightenment principles to maintain their power. Figures like Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia are highlighted for their reforms in areas such as free speech, judicial systems, and education. However, the paragraph also notes that these reforms were short-sighted and primarily aimed at consolidating the monarchs' power. It also touches on the increased religious toleration during this period, influenced by thinkers like John Locke. The paragraph then shifts to discuss broader societal changes, including the agricultural revolution, which addressed food scarcity, and the European marriage pattern, which contributed to population growth. The paragraph concludes with a look at the changing dynamics of families and childhood, with a new emphasis on children's rights and education.

This paragraph focuses on the significant social changes during the period, particularly urbanization and its challenges. As people migrated from rural areas to cities in search of work, cities struggled to accommodate the influx, leading to issues like inadequate housing and the spread of diseases. The creation of tenements and laws like England's Contagious Disease Act are discussed as responses to these problems. The paragraph also addresses the 'reading revolution,' where the proliferation of books, newspapers, and pamphlets led to increased literacy and the spread of new ideas. Censorship efforts by religious authorities are noted, as well as the impact of explorers' writings on European society's views of other cultures.

The final paragraph explores the cultural and intellectual shifts in Europe, including the transition in art from the opulent Baroque style to the simpler, symmetry-focused Neoclassicism. It discusses how art began to reflect the values and interests of the burgeoning middle class. The paragraph also delves into the 'consumer revolution,' where increased disposable income led to a demand for consumer goods and a shift in buying habits. The creation of private spaces like the boudoir and the rise of leisure venues such as coffee houses, which became hubs for discussing revolutionary ideas, are highlighted. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the consequences of these cultural shifts.