The Enlightenment: Crash Course European History #18

So far in this series, we've covered a lot of war, disease, climate disaster, and some more war. Well, prepare yourself for something a little more positive. This week, we're talking about the Enlightenment. In this video, you'll learn about the ideas of Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Kant, Smith, Hume, and a bunch of other people whose ideas have been so impactful, they still influence the way we think about the world today.
Sources
Hunt, Lynn et al. Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures. Boston: Bedford St. Martin’s, 2019.
Smith, Bonnie G. et al. World in the Making: A History. Vol. 2. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019.
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[@sir_elephant814]

0:00 Answers vary 0:47 Earthquake in Lisbon Portugal 2:51 Luxuries included coffee tea chocolate tobacco 3:41 Travellers to Asia were impressed with how much less quarrelsome they were 4:29 Montesquieu wrote Persian letters 5:06 Voltaire wrote Candide 6:18 Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote Emile 7:18 Women hosted the enlightenment salon to share ideas or to meet a philosopher called a philosophe 8:56 Denis Diderot edited the encyclopedia 9:34 David Hume promoted reason above religion, Deists argued God existed but didn't influence everyday life 11:23 Enlightenment views led to abolition of slavery 11:42 Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave, described the middle passage after being enslaved 13:00 An Inquiry into... was written by Adam Smith 13:21 Rousseau' wrote The Social Contract. He discussed the General Will 14:04 Immanuel Kant argued everyone should think for themselves 14:51 Moses Mendelssohn believed enlightenment would lead to the end of Jewish persecution 16:22 Enlightenment leads to individualism (answers vary) Tldr: Europeans decided life sucks and women spilled some tea

[@harveytb6205]

Sir_Elephant you are a god, thank you for that

[@brendito]

lifesaver

[@Dinzi]

thank you.

[@thesoyybean6346]

what a god

[@katzzen6452]

Thanks man

[@theadamatwar]

The Chinese: *Politely waits to let each other pass* Europeans: Dude you gotta see this

[@takod323]

@P. Taylor for real tho

[@tunnar79]

@theadamatwar How the tables have turned since then....

[@RoScFan]

@P. Taylor Good point . i doubt it really happened that way.

[@vonclaren1]

Calas was taken through the streets to the city’s main square, then led up to a scaffold and tied to an X-shaped cross. Whereupon an executioner, iron rod in hand, crushed Calas’s bones, two blows apiece to the upper and lower arms, two to the upper and lower legs, three to the midsection. Calas, his body broken, was then tied to a wheel, face to the sky, where, for two hours, he refused to convert and refused to confess. “I die innocent,” he said.

[@justanotherguyful]

@P. Taylor Nah I think Crash Course presents a lot of pertinent information in an unbiased and concise manner. I'm very glad to think that they are a mostly politically unbiased channel.

[@mstretanski1]

" A letter to Crash Course" Dear John Green, Thank you for developing Crash Course into a great educational tool. It has been inspiring to watch you develop this platform into a resource that is relatable. I use it often as a supplement to my Eighth grade U.S. History course. Based on the changing styles of production from US History made years ago and the new European series, you have grown and matured. My students love them and many honest and (relatively) mature conversations are sparked. The unassuming production and script allows them to understand the content without being overwhelmed by the sometimes complex topics. Thank you for Crash Course. Sincerely, Matt Stretanski

[@deanc9453]

+

[@aliciakoepke560]

"Men should take off their makeup, wigs, and high heels" oh how the tables have turned

[@thephantomgamer8243]

I don’t think so, did you see James Charles?

[@tobiasmouer7581]

oh how the turns have tabled

[@nightowl4536]

@@tobiasmouer7581 have you seen modern "quirky and not like other girls" women? Oh how the stables have filled... Get it? Because every quirky girl is a horse girl? Haha...

[@shrekphoria134]

@@nightowl4536 hahahaahHaHAHAhahAAHahhaHAHAHAHHHAAHHAahhahahahaHAHAAHHAhahaHAH

[@100AngelBoy]

Reverse, eh?

[@TenorMan96]

Lol I remember how energetic he used to be. Now he’s just calm

[@elizabethhoffman8126]

The entire video I couldn't stop thinking about how tired he looks, instead of being excited he almost seems bored.

[@AithaChannel]

He is been Enlightened.

[@moose_squirrel_colombo5786]

Wow i was going to say the same thing i used to love watching his videos because it didn’t feel like homework, it was fun and interesting but now...

[@Silvermoonmaker]

I just put it at 1.25x speed it makes it better

[@edluisrivera3317]

Probably got married, marriage sucks your energy slowly and enthusiasm dies

[@SamBellows]

"Speaking of Terrible, lets talk about slavery." that was a heck of a transition and i feel like it deserves a high five.

[@GrassesOn97]

Britain when they discovered tea: every day I grow stronger...

[@stevencooper4422]

Amazing what a little caffeine will do to a nation!

[@GeoffreyBronson]

@@stevencooper4422 and what one nation's insatiable taste for it can do to the world

[@vonclaren1]

Calas was taken through the streets to the city’s main square, then led up to a scaffold and tied to an X-shaped cross. Whereupon an executioner, iron rod in hand, crushed Calas’s bones, two blows apiece to the upper and lower arms, two to the upper and lower legs, three to the midsection. Calas, his body broken, was then tied to a wheel, face to the sky, where, for two hours, he refused to convert and refused to confess. “I die innocent,” he said.

[@spectraphantom9374]

Bankai Media they didn’t discover tea tho💀

[@vonclaren1]

@@spectraphantom9374 yes they did. Not saying they were the first, but, they did indeed discover tea Eventually

[@nothingtoospiffy7913]

I really miss young John Green asking questions...😢😢

[@jbwilk511]

@ger du that was my thought

[@nicholasmaniccia1005]

@ger du lol weaker, it's almost time to make our move guys just a bit longer...

[@amith9042]

Yes, he is turning gray, his voice is weaker, and he isn't asking more questions.

[@subutaynoyan5372]

That's in the past, now. See what i did there?

[@ThEuNkNoWn9999999]

@ger du He was in his 30s?

[@juliaann4200]

does anyone else have to take notes on these vids? that’s my homework lmao

[@amith9042]

Only OG fans remember the Mystery Document and where he gets shocked by a pen.

[@kyndramb7050]

Classic!

[@SK-uj1hz]

only REAL OG fans remember the open letter...

[@amysnapp823]

And when he sat on a whoopie cushion and went "Stannn!!"

[@samrevlej9331]

11:10 "Don't get me wrong: things are bad. But they used to be *so much* worse." THANK YOU. I've had enough of either ultraconservative people or nihilists, often ecologist nuts, grumbling about the world being rotten and doomed and wanting to go back to "better times". Those times were not better. The world of today might be deeply flawed, but it's far from completely doomed. And as a fan of history, although I enjoy studying the past, I wouldn't want to live in it. Understanding the past also means not being stuck in it, or rather in some idealized vision of a past that never existed.

[@apalsnerg]

Ok simp

[@connormcdonnell3061]

Much agreed , another thing people need to take into account is that when a lot of people look up history , its usually from the perspective of the privelleged few as opposed to the majority .

[@samrevlej9331]

@@connormcdonnell3061 Exactly. 18th century? Yeah, sounds great if you're a noble in Western Europe, Russia, India or China, but if you're a low-class commoner like 90% of the population, then good luck surviving the plague, measles or smallpox, or avoiding starvation, or any of the other appealing deaths offered by a life in extreme poverty. The Enlightenment? Yeah, good luck hoping for liberal reform and tolerance when you can't read. So no thank you.

[@Sara-ur8fv]

Nothing like some history on a Tuesday morning. 😎

[@nothingtoospiffy7913]

It's Monday evening 6:15 pm here. Where do you live? I'm in Texas

[@rozempire2843]

NothingToo Spiffy I’m in Texas too. It’s 6:20pm

[@alfajorcin]

@@rozempire2843 peeps just dont get martian joked

[@jbwilk511]

Time traveler.....that pretty sweet

[@sketch1910]

8:55 am in school _------_

[@chrismain7472]

I really appreciate the calm tone of this series. Crash Course is as educational as ever, but now easier to watch and follow. Thanks for great educational content!

[@leedent6796]

How to Colonize the new world in one simple step 3:56 climb on top of each other to assert your dominance (and small pox)

[@BIoknight000]

are they asserting the small pox?

[@Ny0s]

"Thinks used to be so much worse". So much people need to hear that.

[@Ny0s]

@@Modest-op2vv And that astonishes even himself! ^^ Sorry for the tipo, I'll leave it here though. For posterity.

[@numismatist93]

@John Green - Teaching AP Euro this year and want to shout out this series for helping me organize my thoughts before each lecture and consider things I may have missed (My kids loved Christine de Pizan and I had never heard about her before your Northern Renaissance video). Also as a trained historian I want to say this series is really top notch from a methodological standpoint, doing a really good job incorporating a range of perspectives and notably never forgetting to discuss the lives and history of women in videos. A+

[@KW-vy1rf]

I know this is an old comment but if you haven't yet, you should check out the podcast episode about Christine de Pizan by Stuff You Missed in History Class. It's how I first discovered her and was delighted to see her included in this series as well.

[@numismatist93]

@@KW-vy1rf Thanks! I'll check it out!

[@KW-vy1rf]

@@numismatist93 you're welcome. They do a great job covering women's lives and issues as well as other groups of people largely left out of history lessons.

[@joshbobst1629]

Fun fact about Smith: his only use of "the invisible hand" in Wealth of Nations was when he said that the owners of industry would be prevented from offshoring their labor costs, as if by an invisible hand, by their concern for the welfare of their own nations. It was Ricardo who called markets' price setting mechanism the invisible hand.

[@alexisoftroy926]

I feel like these comments are skipping over the fact that apparently europeans would argue in the street for hours about who could pass? Like what was everyone just really petty?

[@Udontkno7]

They had the time to do it, so they did

[@d.m.collins1501]

What do mean "petty," you stinkin' pus bag! I'm going to stay RIGHT HERE until you wipe that smug smile off your face!

[@christinete4553]

@@d.m.collins1501 yea because it's totally worth it to argue with someone about who walks past each other hahaahaah

[@unon735]

11:11 "Don't get me wrong--things are bad, but remember: they used to be so much worse" 15:07 "Much exploitation and oppression has taken place under the guise of reasoned thought" 15:43 "Enlightenment challenges to the idea that we were already living in the best of all possible worlds would also help us to imagine, and eventually live in, better worlds -- albeit ones that are still profoundly imperfect" John being John, showering us with invaluable little nuggets of worldly wisdom and observations in the middle of teaching History, love Crash Course sooo very much, the entire team that is responsible for bringing it to us, THANKYOU SO MUCH.

[@JM-qv7fe]

You enlightened us, John.

[@hattiedunton8555]

Jan nice pun

[@ymirishere7108]

8:56 "Facts don't care about your feelings"

[@phantomstrider]

Yes! Been looking forward to you covering this. One of my favourite times in history.

[@danjones2164]

I’m enjoying the his critical thinking process in explaining the importance the overall events and how things that can’t be helped, weather and other natural phenomena, shaped decisions and events.

[@grumpyturtle9682]

This is my favourite historical period.

[@koksallce6750]

Hello there. Enjoyed this format much better. No loud bacground music, no antics either. Keep it up please!

[@lostbutfreesoul]

I highly agree with shining a light on Tradition. This is not because I have something against the old ways of doing something, it is because I accept that humanity has a poor memory. We easily forget why we begun doing something the way we do, and in doing so we might fail to realize when the action is no longer required. Some of these actions can harm us, individuals and race as a whole, so we should never blindly repeat these actions simply because it is how our fore-fathers did it.

[@JoaoPessoa86]

If I could go back in time I'd never go further back than the invention of splinter free toilet paper

[@mojibi]

water.......waterr..try water

[@jiraffe9600]

Fulano de Tal I’d never go further back than the invention of AC

[@nkanyezihlatshwayo3601]

"Crash Course Colonial History", please do this🙏🏾... it would fit so well with all the other things:(

[@jaojao1768]

That's quite vague, colonialism existed all over the world

[@hughdidit]

Your courses are awesome! You are doing the internet a GREAT service!

[@ainsley5563]

these videos help so much especially since i’m taking AP European History!

[@HSReinhardt]

The little tea and tobacco guys at 2:45 are so cute?! 😫

[@DJH1312]

I don't know if someone already mentioned it but Emmanuel Kant is wrong. It is Immanuel Kant.

[@vonclaren1]

Calas was taken through the streets to the city’s main square, then led up to a scaffold and tied to an X-shaped cross. Whereupon an executioner, iron rod in hand, crushed Calas’s bones, two blows apiece to the upper and lower arms, two to the upper and lower legs, three to the midsection. Calas, his body broken, was then tied to a wheel, face to the sky, where, for two hours, he refused to convert and refused to confess. “I die innocent,” he said.

[@ValentinaGiraldo0918]

This is coming out at the perfect time as i’m taking AP World History and currently learning and reading about the enlightenment

[@masterpeace7630]

Voltaire's smouldering selfies hahaha I'm dying!

[@nobody-iy3yc]

Thanks for teaching Mr John Green!

[@johndunkelburg5143]

It’s a joke that Voltaire was a man who valued honesty as he made his fortune by rigging a French national lottery in his favor. His writings are very interesting, but the man himself was a rake and a rogue. He was very much a man of his time.

[@jazminserrano3486]

Yeah, also investing in slavery

[@nuhaomar9542]

But the lottery thing is genius 🤣🤣

[@Freepalestine2882]

Just because of this guy i love history now 😺💀🥳💗

[@vonclaren1]

Calas was taken through the streets to the city’s main square, then led up to a scaffold and tied to an X-shaped cross. Whereupon an executioner, iron rod in hand, crushed Calas’s bones, two blows apiece to the upper and lower arms, two to the upper and lower legs, three to the midsection. Calas, his body broken, was then tied to a wheel, face to the sky, where, for two hours, he refused to convert and refused to confess. “I die innocent,” he said.

[@thetitansofbrahma6702]

I’m really enjoying this series.

[@ibrahimatakankubilay9462]

I loved how meritocracy is explained by the juggler :) Great one.

[@boris2342]

History _ the science of how bad things used to be

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

You mean the story of how the world came to be.

[@amellirizarry9503]

Or the science of how all good things came to be

[@TheTariqibnziyad]

They were bad for our perspective, but for them, they were just as disatisfied as us if not less, unless there is a famine or a plague.

[@siratshi455]

Think 1890s were that bad. Nah, our world isn't that good at all

[@Aper-re1xh]

Thank you for what you do John

[@cheyennenewman7805]

This popped up just in time. I’m learning about the Enlightenment in America and Europe!

[@rysph9945]

I love watching these have seen all of your history videos you guys are amazing keep it up I love to see it!

[@ryleighelizabeth3788]

Anyone else find this stuff super fascinating?

[@raquelnunes9793]

well yeah. history is fascinating

[@Robert399]

... no, that's why it has 0 views...

[@HotRatsAndTheStooges]

no, no one else

[@sincerelylavender6147]

Yes. Many sarcastic comments here but this channel is a great starting point for learning history.

[@penelopedalton7500]

These videos save my life! Thank you!

[@BRP]

Screen shots of notes is LIFE

[@arunlewis4416]

Oh my god. John has grown old and it’s shocked me! Don’t grow up! We need that strong voice!

[@sincerelylavender6147]

Love your channel!!!! Keep up the great job!!!

[@nurbekvlog2399]

Dude, During this online learning crash course, helps me so much. THANKS, JON!!!

[@smurphy7756]

I have a midterm this week and this is really coming in clutch love ya man

[@inobsobot7564]

Good conclusion as usual, great intro, awesome episode !

[@zelenisok]

You are mistaking Rousseau with Hobbes, Hobbes is the one whose thought can be characterized by obedience to the state. Rousseau says in the Social Contract that every state is bad except one where the legislature would be directly democratic (and where the executive is chosen by election instead of inheritance, and judiciary is chosen by lot). Kant wasn't at the opposite end of Rousseau, in fact, he held Rousseau's teaching about the general will in such high esteem that he called Rousseau the "Newton of the moral universe". Both talked about how individual rights must be universal /general.

[@varana]

But Rousseau's assumptions about the volonté générale lead to similar ideas - the "general will" is objectively the best way for a public body, and the virtuous single individual submits their own interests to the general good of the community. The actual problem of this comes not with Rousseau himself but when later on, some groups in society (like the Jacobins) claim that their way is this objectively best way, and demand obedience to that proclaimed "general will".

[@zelenisok]

But Rousseau explained what he meant. He says simply (in the Discourse on Political Economy) that a society ruled by general will is a society which works for good of all people in it, where there is rule of law, where that law applies equally to all, and establishes the rights to life, liberty, and property for all members of society.

[@Blancobobea]

Amazing, thank you!!

[@johnnyesquivel9188]

Love u John you've helped me for all my history classes lol❤

[@CrustaceanDisco]

Thank you John Green

[@elizabethstart7466]

Can we go through another Enlightenment? We need one. Desperately.

[@peculiarlittleman5303]

So sorry. You were born into the Endarkenment.

[@subutaynoyan5372]

Well, Kant would have some other ideas about the enlightenment, if he saw that song ''Gucci gang gucci gang gucci gang gucci gang.......''

[@ryanweaver962]

Fascinating needs of understanding helps elevate

[@adrianpetrovai6297]

You helped me to pass my exams at faculty of history, thanks

[@TransoceanicOutreach]

11:11 - September 2019 'Don't get me wrong, things are bad...' Oh you innocent little boy, you have no idea.

[@jgacfhhahjjshggqhhqikwhh3919]

i hope The Enlightenment: would come soon to india. we realy need it.

[@Erfgo02]

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS STRUGGLING IN GRADE 11????

[@vanguard616]

Waiting for me to get into the 11th grade

[@ryfernandez]

Fantastic work as always, John. I like how you discussed how coffee and chocolate made an impact. Have you read the book "A History of The World in 6 Glasses"?

[@forschooluseonly7697]

This is what I’m learning right now.

[@peka2478]

"dare to know" is a misleading translation, actually going against his philosophy; "dare to use your own reason(ing) without being led by others" (his own words) comes much closer to his ideas.

[@vidpece2361]

Best episode yet!

[@calinculianu]

Man the quality of these videos is through the roof. From the humorous illustrations to the script writing. Jesus. Keep up the good work. I'm enjoying them tremendously.

[@lad9732]

As a philosophy enthusiast I am very happy to see more than Voltaire and Rousseau being covered. Especially happy about Hume and Kant who have had as much if not more of an effect in History than the other two (yes I know about the revolution and yes I know Voltaire slept w the King of Prussia and yes I know it's not a competition, but trust me when I say Hume and Kant planted the seeds for the 19th Century).

[@williamgiovinazzo8523]

Damn, that was good!!! I am really turning into a fan of the vlog brothers.

[@samuelcalto]

Potential correction: At 11:40, John Green states 1788 as the year of Olaudah Equiano’s comments, while the screen states 1778. Equiano’s memoir was first published in 1779.

[@mosslander]

That 'phone in the distance' sound effect puts me on edge.

[@xSTTS]

I love getting high and watching these videos ahhh self care and so forth

[@iwillsmiteyall]

John: Speaking of terrible, let's talk about slavery. Me: *sipping ginger ale* Be crazy not to.

[@Thais1985]

Awesome episode. Yes, we Kant! :D

[@GregChacon]

I'm so glad he has slowed down the speed of his voice! Man, it used to be hard to retain all that he would talk about when he'd go so fast you could barely keep up. Definitely didn't help when you had an assignment due for school.

[@sach7762]

my favorite historical "event"

[@notjustforhippies]

thank you! enjoyed this

[@rickharold7884]

Super awesome !!! Thx

[@SplitSundae]

Biggest lesson i got was to not travel back in time to before 2003. A lot of the main content of the vid flew over my head. Imma watch it again

[@OkyeameKwameBRA]

Thank you for sharing

[@victorangeles655]

This was like a week late BUT IM STILL HAPPY

[@policeman6592]

I REALLY ENJOYED IT U GUYS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST

[@michaelciarla3836]

I love crash course!!

[@limitlesstraining2096]

Great video, thanks

[@XzoahX]

"18th century torture was the worst" I find it funny that, despite being hyperbole, this is literally true.

[@astro.mp3]

I’m four weeks into the French Revolution in my European History class, so this is well timed!

[@dragoola69x]

I love watching crack course. It opens my mind to new ideas and to build apon others. And makes me more understanding and accepting of indifference.

[@Tokechan]

Facts and Logic and Diderot don't care about your feelings.

[@EuropeanQoheleth]

Diderot was not that good at facts and logic actually.

[@Tokechan]

@@EuropeanQoheleth People who try to opt out of empathy with the excuse of "being objective" rarely are. :p

[@Baamthe25th]

Diderot did a pretty good job for his time, what are you talking about ?

[@Tokechan]

My bit was just based on what the portrait blurb said in the video (and its similarity to Ben Shapiro's catchphrase), not sure what Complaining Qoheleth is referring to.

[@TheMogul23]

@@Tokechan I always find it pretty hilarious that "facts don't care about your feelings" is Shapiro's catchphrase considering how weirdly emotional he gets every time someone uses logical arguments to point out why his opinions aren't actually "facts."

[@thesexydevil780]

I love the enlightenment. My writing is heavily influence by that time period.

[@grumpyturtle9682]

Same here, high five! *Slap!*

[@thesexydevil780]

Slap!

[@Dayglodaydreams]

You (wittingly or not) did an excellent excellent advertisement for Rosseauan society and thought about such matters (I'm sure ethics and perhaps metaphysics comes up for Rousseau).

[@Dayglodaydreams]

.......never mind the bit about metaphysics (ha).

[@junaidkharal8655]

Bring back the energy, John Green

[@salihgaferoglu5024]

very nice episode!

[@Alightbourne]

I recognize Franklin and Jefferson, but who's the rocking founding father?

[@doubleirishdutchsandwich4740]

James Madison or John Adams. Tough to tell because they had similar hair.

[@kevindanielpg]

Love Hume and John

[@rsr789]

"Immanuel Kant was a real piss-ant who was very rarely stable" ~Monty Python

[@Life_42]

Amazing video!

[@Rico-Suave_]

Great video, thank you very much , note to self(nts) watched all of it 16:06

[@rohscx]

Good job 👍

[@jrapcdaikari]

The German Philosopher, Immauel Kant... *cries in East Prussian, humming the Konigsgrater hymn solemnly, waiting for Konigsberg to return to the Fatherland

[@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4]

I got lost staring into John green's majestic eyes. Now I have to rewatch it again just to get what the episode was about.

[@r.s7733]

tmi