Which historical figure was arrested for defending heliocentric views?

Study for the Praxis II US History / World History Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Excel in your test day!

The historical figure who was arrested for defending heliocentric views is Galileo Galilei. Galileo supported the Copernican theory, which posited that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun, challenging the long-standing geocentric model that placed the Earth at the center of the universe. His observations through a telescope, including the moons of Jupiter and phases of Venus, provided strong evidence for the heliocentric theory.

In 1616, the Catholic Church warned Galileo not to advocate for heliocentrism, but he continued to publish his findings. His most famous trial occurred in 1633, when the Roman Catholic Inquisition found him "vehemently suspect of heresy" for defending heliocentrism. He was subsequently forced to recant his views and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. This event highlights the conflict between science and religious dogma during that period, marking a significant moment in the history of science.

In contrast, Copernicus developed the heliocentric model but did not face arrest, as he published his work before the church's significant opposition. Isaac Newton's work came later and solidified the laws of motion and universal gravitation, while Tycho Brahe was known for his extensive

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