chp 22 test Flashcards
scientific revolution
major change in european though in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs
geocentric theory
view which held that the earth was an immovable object located at the center of the universe
heliocentric theory
idea that the sun is at the center of the universe, and that the earth and other planets revolve around it
galileo galilei
italian scientists who built his own telescope and was forced by the Catholic Church to take back scientific ideas that disagreed with the church’s belief. he built on the new theories about astronomy
scientific method
logical procedure for gathering information about the natural world in which experimentation and observation are used to test hypotheses
isaac newton
english scientist who discovered laws of motion and gravity. helped to bring breakthroughs under a single theory of motion
enlightenment
age of reason. it stressed that reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems. people sought insight into underlying beliefs about government, religion, economics, and education
social contract
according to thomas hobbes, the agreement by which people define and limit their individual rights, thus creating an organized society or government. agreement made between people and government
john locke
philosopher who wrote about government. believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves. according to him, all people are born free and equal and came up with the three natural rights of life, liberty, and the property
philosophes
group of social thinkers in france (during the enlightenment)
voltaire
probably most brilliant and influential philosophe. fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech. he had a sharp tongue
montesquieu
french philosophe/writer who was concerned with government and freedom of speech. he devoted himself to the study of political liberty. believed that britain had the best type of government with divided powers
rousseau
philosophe who championed (individual) freedom. argued that civilization corrupted people’s natural goodness. believed that the only good government was one that was freely formed by the people and guided by the “general will” of society (direct democracy)
mary wollstonecraft
author who wrote about women’s rights. wrote essay that disagreed with rousseau that women’s education should be secondary to men’s. urged women to enter male-dominant fields (of medicine and politics)
salon
social gathering of intellectuals and artists in homes of wealthy women (in paid and other european cities) to discuss ideas or enjoying art during the enlightenment
baroque
grand, ornate style that characterized european painting, music, and architect in the 1600s and early 1700s (before the enlightenment)
neoclassical
simple, elegant style based on ideas and themes from ancient greece and rome that characterized the arts in europe during the late 1700s/enlightenment
enlightened despot
18th century monarch who supported enlightenment but did not give up power
catherine the great
russian ruler who took steps to reform and modernize russia. most admired ruler by the philosophes. one of the foremost of europe’s enlightened despots
declaration of independence
document declaring american independence from britain that was issued by the second continental congress. a statement of the reason for the american colonies’ break with britain. firmly based on locke’s enlightenment ideas. states the three human rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
thomas jefferson
political leader who wrote the declaration of independence
checks and balances
system in which each branch of government checks/limits the power of the other two branches. measures designed to prevent any one branch of government from dominating the others. was a part of the constitution
federal system
system of government in which power is divided between the national and state governments
bill of rights
first ten amendments to the US constitution which protect citizens’ basic rights and freedom. was made in order to gain the support of antifederalists who did not want to sign the constitution
