Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution Flashcards
Heliocentric Theory
The idea that the sun was the center of the solar system
Galileo Galilei
Provided the heliocentric theory, and subsequently, was punished by the church
Scientific Method
A logical procedure for gathering information about the natural world, in which experimentation and observation are used to test hypothesis
The Enlightenment
An 18th century movement in which thinkers who questioned traditional views about government and society
Social Contract
Refers to the arrangement between a monarch and his subjects, in which people give up their rights in exchange for law and order
John Locke
Said that all people were born free and equal. Advocated overthrowing any government that didn’t protect its citizen’s natural rights
Natural Rights
Life, liberty, and property
Philosophes
A group of social thinkers in France during the Enlightenment
Voltaire
Promoted freedom of expression, thought and religion
Montesquieu
Wanted the power of government to be divided into different “branches”
Wollstonecraft
Criticized other philosophes for ignoring women’s equality
Salons
Social gatherings in which, philosophers, artists, scientists, and other great intellects met to discuss ideas and enjoy artistic performances
Enlightened Despots
Monarchs that embraced the new ideas and made reforms that reflected the spirit of the Enlightenment
Declaration of Independence
A document, based on the ideas of John Locke, which detailed the reasons why American colonists were rebelling against the British government
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the US constitution, protecting such basic rights as, freedom of speech, press, assembly and religion
Isaac Newton
created the law of universal gravitation to explain the effects of gravity on objects on earth and space
Rousseau
argued that the government must act in “general will” of society and that people must give up some of their freedoms for the common good of society
Catherine the Great
Russian leader who brought about limited reforms to society. Also expanded Russian territory.
Neoclassical
new classical, meaning an art style that sought inspiration from the Classical styles of ancient Greece and Rome
Thomas Jefferson
author of the Declaration of Independence, he was heavily influenced by John Locke’s ideas on natural rights
Checks and balances
a system developed in the U.S. Constitution that allows different branches of government to limit each other’s power in order to prevent tyranny/absolute power
