1750-1900 Flashcards
Enlightenment despot
18th century European monarch with the ideas of ruling justly
Social contract
Agreement that people define and limit their natural rights
Separation of powers
The assignment of legislative, judicial, and executive powers
Philosophes
Group of social thinkers in France during enlightenment
Federal system
Government where power is distributed to a central authority around multiple states
Checks and balances
Measures to prevent one branch of government from getting too powerful
Old regime
Political and social system in France before French Revolution
Bourgeoisie
Social order dominated land owning high class but the term was associated with middle class
Coup de’etat
Sudden seizure of political power in a state
Plebiscite
A direct vote where the people can accept or reject a proposal
Balance of power
A political situation where no one state has enough power to be a threat to others
Legitimacy
The hereditary right of a monarch to rule
Conservatives
Europeans who wanted to maintain the monarchies from Classic Europe
Liberals
Europeans that wanted more power to go to Parliament
Radicals
Europeans who favored democracy for people
