Question 1

________ contended that the process of civilization and the Enlightenment had corrupted human nature.

Accepted Answer

Jean-Jacques Rousseau is known for his belief that civilization and the Enlightenment had corrupted human nature. He argued that humans are naturally good but are corrupted by society and its institutions, which lead to inequality and oppression. His philosophy influenced the Romantic movement and had a significant impact on ideas about the individual, democracy, and the role of the state.

Question 2

From where did the first imports of coffee come to supply the European coffeehouses?

Accepted Answer

The first imports of coffee to supply the European coffeehouses came from the Ottoman Empire. Coffee was first introduced to Europe by Ottoman Turks who brought it from Yemen during the 16th century. The popularity of coffee quickly grew in Europe, with coffeehouses becoming popular meeting places for intellectuals and businessmen.

Question 3

The subject matter of Rococo-style paintings,with scenes of leisure,romance,and seduction,led to a feeling of hostility toward the ________.

Accepted Answer

The Rococo-style paintings, with their focus on leisure, romance, and seduction, were seen as frivolous and decadent by those who believed in conservative values and traditional norms. This led to a feeling of hostility toward the political and social elites of the Old Regime, who were seen as corrupt and out-of-touch with the needs of the people. This sentiment eventually contributed to the French Revolution and the overthrow of the monarchy.

Question 4

Who wrote The Persian Letters?

Accepted Answer

The Persian Letters were written by Charles de Montesquieu, a French philosopher and writer, in 1721.

Question 5

The most important political thought of the Enlightenment occurred in ________.

Accepted Answer

The Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe in the 18th century, had its most significant political and philosophical contributions emerge from France. Thinkers like Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau were central figures in developing ideas about democracy, civil rights, and the separation of powers, which have profoundly influenced modern political thought.

Question 6

Which of the following styles of art utilizes lavish,often lighthearted decoration with an emphasis on pastel colors and the play of light?

Accepted Answer

Rococo is the style of art that is known for its use of lavish, often lighthearted decoration with an emphasis on pastel colors and the play of light. Baroque art is known for its dramatic and dynamic compositions, Neoclassicism emphasizes simplicity and order, while Impressionism focuses on capturing fleeting moments and changing light.

Question 7

What did Baruch Spinoza and Moses Mendelssohn have in common?

Accepted Answer

Both Baruch Spinoza and Moses Mendelssohn were Jewish philosophers who made significant contributions to the philosophical and intellectual discourse of their time.

Question 8

Herder is famous for his early views concerning ________.

Accepted Answer

Herder is considered a founder of cultural relativism, the idea that each culture should be judged on its own terms rather than compared to other cultures. He believed that every culture had its unique values and beliefs that could not be comprehended by outsiders.

Question 9

An expanding,literate public and the growing influence of secular printed materials created a new and increasingly influential social force called ________.

Accepted Answer

The expanding, literate public and growing influence of secular printed materials contributed to the formation and influence of public opinion. This term refers to the collective views and attitudes held by a significant portion of the general public on various social, political, and cultural issues. It is a powerful social force that can influence decision-making and shape public policies.

Question 10

Written by Voltaire in English and later translated to French,________ praised the virtues of the English,especially their religious liberty,and implicitly criticized the abuses of French society.

Accepted Answer

"Letters on the English" was written by Voltaire in English and later translated to French. It praised the virtues of the English, especially their religious liberty, and implicitly criticized the abuses of French society. The other options are not relevant to the description given.

Question 11

________ maintained that women were not naturally inferior to men and that women should have a wider role in society.

Accepted Answer

Charles de Montesquieu, a French philosopher, advocated for the equal rights of women in the society. He argued that women were not naturally inferior to men and that they should be given equal opportunities and access to education. This is evident in his works, especially in "The Spirit of the Laws," where he discusses equal rights and opportunities for women.

Question 12

Who believed that the intent of punishment should be to deter further crime,not to impose the will of God?

Accepted Answer

Beccaria believed in the principles of utilitarianism and the idea that the purpose of punishment should be to deter further crime, rather than to impose the will of God. He argued that punishment should be proportionate to the crime committed and that it should serve as a deterrent to others, rather than being overly harsh or retributive.

Question 13

________,who embodied enlightened absolutism more than any other monarch,forged a state that commanded the loyalty of the military,the Junker nobility,the Lutheran clergy,and a growing bureaucracy.

Accepted Answer

The statement describes the reign of Frederick the Great of Prussia, who implemented reforms such as religious toleration, educational expansion, and improvements in infrastructure while maintaining absolute control over the state. Joseph II of Austria also implemented reforms but faced resistance from various groups, and Catherine II of Russia, although an enlightened monarch, relied heavily on the support of the nobility and did not institute significant domestic reforms. Maria Theresa of Austria, while a strong ruler, did not embody enlightened absolutism in the same way as Frederick the Great.

Question 14

As part of her territorial aspirations,Catherine the Great painlessly annexed the newly independent state of ________ in 1783.

Accepted Answer

Catherine the Great annexed the Crimean Khanate in 1783, after successfully defeating the Ottoman Empire in a war. The annexation gave Russia control over the Crimean Peninsula and access to the Black Sea. The other options, Estonia, Livonia, and Romania were not annexed by Catherine the Great during her reign.

Question 15

Which of the following styles of art embodies a return to figurative and architectural modes drawn from the Renaissance and the ancient world?

Accepted Answer

Neoclassicism is a style of art that emerged in the mid-18th century and is characterized by a return to figurative and architectural modes drawn from the Renaissance and the ancient world. It sought to revive the classical ideals of clarity, simplicity, and restraint in art, in contrast to the ornate excesses of the preceding Rococo style. Abstract and Impressionism, on the other hand, are movements that emphasize the subjective and emotional experience of the artist and the viewer, and depart from the realistic representation of the world.

Question 16

________ published On Crimes and Punishments,in which he applied critical analysis to the problem of making punishments both effective and just.

Accepted Answer

Marquis Cesare Beccaria published On Crimes and Punishments in 1764, in which he used critical analysis to propose reforms in the legal system to make punishments both effective and just.

Question 17

The issue most relevant to physiocrats was ________.

Accepted Answer

Physiocrats were primarily concerned with economic and agricultural policy, and believed that property rights were essential to efficient market functioning. Legal and legislative reforms may have been important to them, but were not their primary focus. Women's social status was not a major concern for physiocrats.

Question 18

How did Voltaire come to admire English culture?

Accepted Answer

Voltaire lived in exile in England for two years from 1726 to 1728. During that time, he studied English literature, history, and philosophy, and was impressed by the freedom of thought and speech that existed in England, as well as the scientific and cultural advancements of the country. This experience greatly influenced his own ideas and writings, leading him to become a strong advocate for Enlightenment values and the spread of knowledge and reason.

Question 19

________,an eighteenth-century philosopher,was known as the "Jewish Socrates."

Accepted Answer

Moses Mendelssohn, a prominent figure in the Haskalah (Jewish Enlightenment) movement, was often referred to as the "Jewish Socrates" due to his emphasis on reason and secular education. Mendelssohn was a philosopher and advocate for Jewish rights and integration in modern society.

Question 20

The two most important influences on Enlightenment thought were ________.

Accepted Answer

Locke's ideas about individual rights and the role of government in protecting those rights were central to Enlightenment thinking. Newton's laws of motion and gravity had a profound impact on scientific thinking during the Enlightenment, leading to a new emphasis on empirical observation and experimentation. Therefore, Locke and Newton were the two most important influences on Enlightenment thought.

Quiz 17: The Age of Enlightenment: Eighteenth-Century Thought