5.1 Growth and Features of the Revolution

The Intellectual Revolution did not break out suddenly. Its gradual growth was a result of various factors:

1. Europe had expanded greatly from the 14th to the 17th century, giving rise to increased knowledge of and an interest in distant places and persons.

2. ALIGN="JUSTIFY"> The growth of commerce and the use of cheap labor in Asia, Africa and the Americas had led to a tremendous growth of wealth. This provided the middle class and the nobles with sufficient leisure as well as an inclination to study.

3. A wider study of the Copernican theories of the 16th century had resulted in a changing conception of the universe.

4. The bitter religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries were accompanied by a reaction against bigotry as well as intolerance.

5. Several sordid dynastic and colonial wars took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. They were followed by a strong reaction against the resulting evils and suffering.

1. A great stress was laid on the importance of natural science.

2. There was a rise of ’natural religion’ and also of skepticism about Christianity.

3. Further, the rise of the idea of ’progress’ was prominent.

4. There was a tendency to apply a critical spirit to subjects like religion, politics, education and economics.

Index

5.0 - Introduction
5.1 Growth and Features of the Revolution
5.2 The Rationalist Spirit and the Contribution of Voltaire
5.3 Application of the Critical Spirit
5.4 Age of Enlightened Despots
5.5 Dates & Events
5.6 Points to Remember

Chapter 6