Why did some people in eighteenth century Europe think that print culture would bring enlightenment and end despotism?
By the mid-eighteenth century, there was a common conviction that books were a means of spreading progress and enlightenment. Many believed that books could change the world, liberate society from despotism and tyranny. They felt that it would herald a time when reason and intellect would rule.
Louise-Sebastien Mercier, a novelist in eighteenth-century France, said that the printing press was the most powerful engine of progress and public opinion was the force that will sweep despotism away.
In many of Mercier's novels, the heroes are transformed by acts of reading and become enlightened in the process. He was convinced that the power of print would bring enlightenment and destroying the basis of despotism.
Mercier proclaimed: ‘Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world! Tremble before the virtual writer!'
Print popularised the ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers. Their writings provided a critical commentary on tradition, superstition and despotism. They argued for the rule of reason rather than the rule of custom, and demanded that everything be judged through the application of reason and rationality.
The Enlightenment thinkers attacked the sacred authority of the Church and the despotic power of the state. This wore down the legitimacy of a social order based on tradition. The writings of Voltaire and Rousseau were read widely; and those who read these books saw the world through new eyes, eyes that were
Questioning, critical and rational.
Explain the main features of the first printed Bible. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Or
Describe any three main features of the first printed Bible. [CBSE 2014]
Who said "Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one ? ] [CBSE 2010. 11, 12]
Why did some people in the eighteenth century Europe think that print culture would bring enlightenment and end despotism ? [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
Or
Assess the impact of print revolution on the European society. [CBSE 2013]
Name an Act which was passed by the British government to keep a regular track of the vernacular newspapers.
’Liberty of speech … liberty of the press … freedom of association. The government of India is now seeking to crush the three powerful vehicles of expressing and cultivating public opinion, the fight for swaraj, for Khilafat … means a fight for this threatened freedom before all else….’
Who said these words ?
What were the features of the new books which were produced in Europe after the invention of the Gutenberg's press ? [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Write about the different innovations in the printing technology during the 19th century ? [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Write short notes to show what you know about:
a) The Gutenberg Press
b) Erasmus's idea of the printed book
c) The Vernacular Press Act
c) The Vernacular Press Act
Why did some people in eighteenth century Europe think that print culture would bring enlightenment and end despotism?
Name any four languages in which Indian manuscript was prepared before the age of print.
Give reasons for the following :
(a) Martin Luther was in favour of print, and spoke out in praise of it.
(b) The Roman Catholic Church began keeping an Index of Prohibited books from the mid-sixteenth century.
(c) Gandhi said the fight for Swaraj is a fight for the liberty of speech, liberty of the press and freedom of association.
Study the given paragraph and answer the following questions that follow :
Liberty of speech…. liberty of the press freedom of association. The government of India is now seeking to crush the three powerful vehicles of expressing and cultivating public opinion. The fight for Swaraj, for Khilafat …. means a fight for this threatened freedom before all else ….'
(i) Who said these words ?
(ii) Name the freedoms he is talking about.
How did China remain a major producer of printed materials for a long time ? [CBSE 2013]
Or
"The imperial state in China, was the major producer of printed material.” Support this statement with examples. [CBSE 2013. 2012. 2014]
The shift from handprinting to mechanical printing led to the print revolution.’ Explain.
"Oral culture and print culture were complimentary to each other”. Justify the statement with any three suitable arguments. [CBSE 2013]
Not everyone welcomed the printed books, and those who did also had fears about it.' Explain by giving examples.
Many historians have argued that print culture created the conditions within which the French Revolution occurred.' Explain. [CBSE 2009 (O)]
Or
"Print culture created the conditions within which French revolution occurred."Give any three suitable arguments to support the statement. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]