In the beginning of the sixteenth century, European culture was focused on traditional aristocratic views and society was not comfortable with revolutionary change. During the same time, alcohol, a depressant, was a common social drink amongst all statues. The mind-numbing drink decreased productivity, as well as innovating thoughts. Alcohol essentially encouraged people to be content with the way things were, as it provided no stimulation to change inherited beliefs. Fortunately, a stimulant was introduced to the hazy Europe. Originating in the Arab world and sweeping westward within half a century, coffee, a caffeinated drink sobered up great minds and initiated a turning point in history, known as the Enlightenment.
Although coffee had …show more content…
“The drink’s opponents included medical men who believed the new drink was poisonous and commentators who, echoing Arab critics of coffee, worried that coffeehouses encouraged time-wasting and trivial discussions at the expense of more important activities.”(Cite Book Later) The controversy became very intense to the point where some authorities even stepped in and shared their thoughts. An example being King Charles II trying to suppress coffeehouses. Charles believed the freedom of speech within the establishments was a threat to his rule. He was very paranoid and disliked coffeehouses being a suitable place for hatching …show more content…
When examining philosophy, politics, religion, and commerce, people applied the skeptical scientific approach to common everyday debates that would take place in a setting similar to the Internet, a coffeehouse. “Coffeehouse discussions both molded and reflected public opinion, forming a unique bridge between the public and private worlds.”(Cite Book Later 156) Coffeehouses provided a place where people of all different backgrounds were able to congregate in one area, share their beliefs with no discrimination, and have productive discussion as to how things should be changed and improved in society. For example, the French Revolution began in a Paris coffeehouse. The Cafe de Foy was one of the very few locations where people could have conversation without the French government intervening. On July 12, 1789 Camille Desmoulins set the French Revolution in motion leaping “onto a table outside the cafe, brandishing a pistol and shouting, “To arms, citizens! To arms!” His cry was taken up, and Paris swiftly descended into chaos.” (Cite Book