The Scientific Revolution: How Science Changed the World

CrashCourse

This educational video from the Crash Course European History series provides a fast-paced and comprehensive overview of the Scientific Revolution. Host John Green explains the fundamental paradigm shift that occurred in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, moving from an ancient, geocentric understanding of the universe to a heliocentric model grounded in observation and mathematics. The video details how this era introduced the radical new concept of human progress—the idea that life could improve over time through knowledge—which was a departure from previous cyclical views of history. The content explores key themes including the conflict between established religious dogma and emerging scientific evidence, specifically highlighting the tension between the Catholic Church and astronomers like Copernicus and Galileo. It delves into the development of the scientific method, contrasting Francis Bacon's inductive reasoning with Rene Descartes' deductive reasoning, and culminates with Isaac Newton's synthesis of these ideas into universal laws of physics. The video also connects scientific advancement to European exploration and colonization, noting how interactions with the wider world contributed to medical and botanical knowledge. For educators, this video serves as an excellent anchor for units on European History, the History of Science, or Epistemology. It creates opportunities to discuss the nature of truth, the importance of skepticism, and the historical roots of modern scientific inquiry. The video addresses complex topics like the trial of Galileo and the philosophical underpinnings of "I think, therefore I am" in a way that is accessible to high school students, making it a valuable tool for sparking classroom debates about authority, evidence, and the evolution of human thought.