PERSIA+GT

//What was happening during the 18th century that may have influenced Mendelsohn's beliefs, ideas and philosophies? What was life like in Germany?//

PERSIA + GT during Mendelsohn's time period (the 18th century)

This is an ancient map of 18th century Germany.

- During the 18th century, Germany was dominated by two families, **the Habsburgs and the Hohenzollerns.** They ruled respectively, and throughout the 1700s, they vied with each other to dominate northern and eastern Europe. The Habsburgs were generally emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, while the Hohenzollerns began as one of the seven electors of that Emperor.
 * Politically**

- During the 18th century, the German economy was **mainly agrarian**, but more people were starting to contribute to the boom of what became known as the Industrial Revolution.
 * Economically**

- During the Age of Enlightenment, all varietes of **Christianity**, especially **Roman Catholicism**, along with Judaism and Islam dominated and spread far and wide across Europe. However, Jews were often the first ones blamed when something went wrong in society. They were unfairly criticized, and were separated from the rest of society. Philosophes sought a religion without fanaticism and intolerance. This, along with the belief that the life of religion and of reason should be combined, led to the rise in a movement called **deism**. Deists believed that priests and ministers were often responsible for denominational hatred between different religions.
 * Religiously**

- During Mendelsohn's time, many people were taking a more intellectual and philosophical approach when it came to different beliefs, thoughts, ideas, etc. During the Age of Enlightenment, Jewish intellectuals began to rethink the relationship between their own communities and the more broad European culture from which they had been set apart for many years. Mendelsohn sought to bring Jews and non-Jews together in a secular, equal society, where no one was looked down on or criticized. During his time, **deism** was dominating among religious philosophes, which influenced some of Mendelsohn's philosophies. Along with the rise of deism, throughout 18th century Europe, books, journals, newspapers, and pamphlets had achieved a status of their own and became the communication of thoughts and ideas.
 * Socially & Intellectually**

- German aesthetics mainly revolved around **music**. During this time, great musicians like **Mozart and Beethoven** shared their music with the people of the world. Both were German. **Theatre** was also a big part of German aesthetics in the 18th century.
 * Aesthetically**



Germany is located in **central Europe**, surrounded by many countries including France, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland. Germany is famous for its Alps, which are located in the lower part of Germany, and spread across France, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. Germany's climate is **temperate and marine**, with cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers. It's **natural resources** include iron ore, coal, timber, uranium, copper, salt, and water.
 * Geographically**



**Technological** The 18th century began the first **Industrial Revolution.** Modern manufacturing began with **steam engines**, which replaced animal labor. This time period saw the widespread replacement of manual labor by **new inventions and machinery.**

//(continued on next page, Philosophy)//