Final answer:
True, coffeehouses and salons were informal social gathering spots in the eighteenth century where topics like poetry, music, and science were discussed, contributing to the public sphere and Enlightenment ideas. Salons were exclusive, while coffeehouses were more democratic spaces. Coffehouses were not centers of royal power, which is a false claim.
Step-by-step explanation:
A place of informal social gathering, where the newest topics in poetry, music, science, etc. were discussed is true. These informal social gatherings were typically found at coffeehouses and salons. Coffeehouses were accessible to various social backgrounds and served as hubs for the circulation of ideas, facilitating an informal education for its patrons. Salons, on the other hand, were often hosted in the homes of wealthy aristocrats in eighteenth-century France and were exclusive, intellectual gatherings frequented by writers, philosophers, and upper-class society members.
European coffeehouses of the eighteenth century were influenced by similar establishments in the Islamic world and East Asian trade centers. They created a public sphere where individuals could freely exchange ideas. This environment fostered the spread of Enlightenment ideas by facilitating open discussions that were free from the intervention of the state or church.
Dispel the False Claim
Regarding the quiz question on European coffeehouses, the statement they were centers of royal power and tightly controlled by monarchs (option c) is false. Coffeehouses were known for their role as centers of news, education, and discussion without being under strict monarchial control.