Chapter 3 The Enlightenment Bilde inn Joseph Wright

Chapter 3 The Enlightenment Bilde inn Joseph Wright of Derby (1734– 97): “An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump”, 1768.

Historical background 1 • A power struggle between King Charles I and Parliament developed into armed conflict • English Civil War (1642 -49) resulted in the execution of the king and a period of republican rule, the Commonwealth (164958) under Oliver Cromwell • After Cromwell’s death the monarchy was restored (the Restoration) in 1660 under Charles II Oliver Cromwell leading his New Model Army

Historical background 2 • Fear that Charles II’s successor James II would reintroduce Catholicism led to his replacement by Protestant William of Orange • Development of constitutional monarchy – i. e. most political power lies in Parliament • Economic liberalism leads to growth of capitalism

Historical background 3 • England Scotland joined by Act of Union (1707) – Great Britain is born • London becomes hub of a global empire • Voyages of exploration, followed by trade and colonisation

The American Colonies • Population of colonies grew rapidly in the 18 th century (2. 5 million in 1776) • Colonists paid tax to Britain, but had no representation in Parliament. • American Revolution – independence declared in 1776. War of Independence ends 1783 with victory for colonists

The Age of Reason • Late 17 th and early 18 th century a period of rapid advancement in science • Built on legacy of Galileo Galilei, René Descartes and Isaac Newton • Emphasis on reason, knowledge and scientific inquiry. • However – the Enlightenment also tolerated the Atlantic slave trade

Neo-classicism • Art should mirror the perceived order and proportion of Creation. • Emphasis on restraint, common sense and order • Heyday of essays, letters and satire Longleat House

The Rise of the Novel • Ideal genre for charting social destinies – the individual making his way in the world • Rising middle class provided a devoted readership for the new genre • Early novelists like Defoe and Swift drew heavily on journalism