Thinking revolutions - Commercial and Scientific Revolutions

Commercial Revolution

(1300s-1700s)Scientific

Revolution(1543-1687)

Objectives

• I can define the concept of a commercial revolution and explain how new economic ideas and resources contributed to the beginning of this Commercial Revolution in Europe from 1450 – 1750. (WHS 7F)

• I can describe the origins [beginnings] and impact of the 16th century European Scientific Revolution. (WHS 27D)

Commercial Revolution (1300s-1700s)

European economic expansion that rises during the 1500s and the 1700s. European empires expand and define new economics.• Spain, Portugal, Britain, France,

NetherlandsRise of banks and capitalism.

Causes of the Commercial Revolution

European exploration brings back new foods, goods, and

riches.

New food sources means

population increases.

Larger populations

allow for large empires to

form.

Europeans racing to

build wealth and power.

More power requires more

money.

Mercantilism • World power depends on wealth

(gold and silver).

• Empires create colonies.• The “Mother Country” exports

finished goods to colonies for cheap raw materials.

• Colonies could only get finished goods from the Mother Country.

Mother Country• Finished Goods• Clothes• Textiles• Luxuries

Colonies• Raw Materials• Tobacco• Cotton• Sugar

Capitalism/Free EnterprisePrivate businesses and industries run mostly free of government control.To make a profit, owners must risk capital (money).Lots of money is needed to grow businesses and reduce the impact of a loss.“You have to spend money to make money.”

Joint-Stock Companies• Formed to raise large sums of money. • Companies sold stock to investors.• Investors bought stock for a share of

profits and part ownership. • Company uses this money to fund

business expenses.• Stock value went up or down

depending on success or failure.• Buying stocks reduced money lost in

high risk businesses.

Changes in the Banks

• Governments and banks sell funds to the public.

• Buyers of funds were paid interest.• Government issues you a $100 fund with 15%

interest.• Over time the government will pay you $115.

• Banks and merchants became powerful in government. • Dutch government ruled by a few- Oligarchy

Insurance

• Insurance companies were made to reduce the risk of business

• Insurance company is paid a premium and make a policy to cover losses under certain conditions.• Cellphone insurance- You pay the

company extra money and if your phone breaks under certain conditions it can be replaced for free.

Effects of the Commercial Revolution

Larger population and more

wealth creates the

middle class.

New products for entertainment and learning.• Books,

schools, newspapers. Raised the

standard of living for

many Europeans.

Trading center

shifts from Mediterranean to the Atlantic.

Scientific Revolution (1543- 1687)

• New interests in science creates new fields of study.

• Desire for new technology for military use.

• Begins questioning the state of accepted science:• Aristotle, Ptolemy, Galen• The Bible, Catholic Church,

Religious teachings

On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, 1543Heliocentric

Theory- Sun is the center of the solar system

-Earth revolves around the Sun

Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)

Believed in Geocentric Theory

-Earth is the center of the universe

-Accepted by the Catholic Church

Mapped over 700 stars in 20 years without a

telescope.

Tycho Brahe (1546-1601)

Laws of planetary motion.

Improved refracting telescope.

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)

Galilei Galilei (1564-1642)

Inertia Gravitational

constant Improved telescope

Isaac Newton (1643-1727)Principia Mathematica,

1687Universal Gravitation

3 Laws of MotionUniverse acts according to

natural laws.

Changing how we see the universe works.

Knowledge comes from sensory experience.Created the scientific method.

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

• Father of modern Chemistry

• Tested theories with controlled experiments and published results.

Robert Boyle (1627-1691)

“Science must be a series of valid deductions from self-evident truths.”

Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

Effects of the Scientific Revolution

Scientific laws can be discovered by human reason and The Scientific Method.View that the universe runs like a machine according to natural laws.

The study of the universe does not require a deity.

Deistic view of God emerges, the Watchmaker • “Watchmaker” wound up the universe

and then left it alone.

The discoveries which have hitherto been made in the sciences are such as lie close to vulgar notions, scarcely beneath the surface. In order to penetrate into the inner and further recesses of nature, it is necessary that both notions and axioms [be] derived from things by a more sure and guarded way, and that a method of intellectual operation be introduced altogether better and more certain. …

There is no soundness in our notions, whether logical or physical. Substance, quality, action, passion, essence itself are not sound notions; much less are heavy, light, dense, rare, moist, dry, generation, corruption, attraction, repulsion, element, matter, form, and the like; but all are fantastical and ill-defined. …

There are and can be only two ways of searching into and discovering truth. The one flies from the senses and particulars to the most general axioms, and from these principles, the truth of which it takes for settled and immovable, proceeds to judgment and the discovery of middle axioms. And this way is now in fashion. The other derives axioms from the senses and particulars, rising by a gradual and unbroken ascent, so that it arrives at the most general axioms last of all. This is the true way, but as yet untried. …

Francis Bacon Rejects Superstition and Extols the Virtue of Science, 1620

ROLE Merchant Middle Class Worker

Scientist Priest

AUDIENCE Merchants and Bankers

Other Workers Scientists Faithful

FORMAT YOUR CHOICE YOUR CHOICE YOUR CHOICE YOUR CHOICE

TOPIC In the heart of the Commercial Revolution you have come $20,000 and want to turn it into $100,000.

During the Commercial Revolution how might you use your money to earn more money?

How might Capitalism help you?

What other innovations from the Commercial Revolution might help you with your goal?

In the heart of the Scientific Revolution you have come across the writings of the great scientists for the first time.

How do these writings differ from your view of the universe?

What do these discoveries do to the mysteries of the universe?

How might these views affect your faith?

Strong View Persuade Persuade Inform Inform