The Scientific Revolution

Painting of astronomer by Johannes Vermeer

The Astronomer. Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675)

During the Middle Ages, science focused on old ways of thinking, which were based on the Bible and the ancient Greeks and Romans. However, few people actually tested the ideas provided by these sources. Toward the end of the Age of Absolutism, new ideas became popular in Europe. Many people felt that science and scientific laws should be the basis of any decisions and actions. This new emphasis on reason, observation, and systematic measurement became known as the Scientific Revolution.

Essential Questions

  • What were some new scientific theories and discoveries made during the Scientific Revolution?
  • What were some of the effects of the new theories of the Scientific Revolution?