Question

In the 18th century, English coffeehouses were referred to as:

A) Breweries
B) Taverns
C) Public Houses
D) Penny Universities

Answer 1

English coffeehouses of the 18th century were called 'Penny Universities' because they allowed for an exchange of ideas over a coffee, serving as informal educational hubs.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 18th century, English coffeehouses were popularly referred to as Penny Universities because they were venues where people, for the price of a cup of coffee, could participate in rich and informative discussions. This informal education system allowed individuals from various social backgrounds to engage in the rapid circulation of ideas and information, contributing to the intellectual culture of the Enlightenment.

The correct answer is D) Penny Universities. These establishments were not controlled by monarchs to a significant degree nor were they necessarily centers of royal power. Coffeehouses were, in fact, quite opposite in nature; they were grounds where political debates and differing opinions were freely discussed outside the control of state and church.

Elite women typically hosted salons, not coffeehouses, which were influential settings for the exchange of Enlightenment ideas, catering to a more privileged sector of society.