CNN Millennium — Season 1, Episode 7: The Seventeenth Century: Century of the Telescope

Episode synopsis

The role of the scientist changed dramatically. Greatest of all the new gentlemen scientists was Isaac Newton, whose experiments with the laws of nature were undertaken to reveal God, not to disprove his existence. Colonies were established along America's Atlantic coasts. The first, in Jamestown, Virginia, struggled to survive until the tobacco trade made it viable. Slaves were transported from Africa to service new colonies. The largest numbers were taken to Brazil by the Portuguese and Dutch, their short, brutal lives eked out on the sugar plantations. In Europe the economic center of gravity shifted north. The Dutch became rich on the South East Asian spice trade and Amsterdam began a golden age. Women entered business and great painters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer were commissioned by the emerging middle class. Europe began to eclipse Arabic and Chinese eminence in science. Visiting Jesuits proved to the Emperor in China that their knowledge of astronomy was more accurate than that of the Chinese.

About CNN Millennium

A documentary series covering the last 1,000 years. Each of the 10 episodes focuses on a single century, brought to life by five vignettes from five different locations worldwide. Inspired by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto's book, "Millennium," and filmed in 28 countries, the series is as geographically far-ranging as the world it covers.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Eleventh Century: Century of the Sword
• E2The Twelfth Century: Century of the Axe
• E3The Thirteenth Century: Century of the Stirrup
• E4The Fourteenth Century: Century of the Scythe
• E5The Fifteenth Century: Century of the Sail
• E6The Sixteenth Century: Century of the Compass
• E8The Eighteenth Century: Century of the Furnace
• E9The Nineteenth Century: Century of the Machine
• E10The Twentieth Century: Century of the Globe