Enlightenment Flashcards
Enlightenment
Age of Reason, time the philosophers aimed to get people more rights from government
Scientific Revolution
a time period where scientists used reason, experimentation, and observation to come up with new theories, often contradicting the Roman Catholic Church
Heliocentric theory
Sun-centered model of the solar system, created by Copernicus
Galileo
confirmed Copernicus’ heliocentric theory using a astronomical telescope
Absolutism
form of government where the leader has total control over the people
Divine Right
belief that a ruler’s right to rule comes from God
John Locke
English philosopher who believed that people deserved natural right-“life, liberty, and property”.
Voltaire
French philosopher who believed people should have freedom of speech and religion
Baron de Montesquieu
French philosopher who believed that a gov’t should be divided into three branches, separation of powers, and checks and balances
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Philosopher who believed in “general will” -the will of the majority rules
Mary Wollstonecraft
English philosopher who advocated for equal rights for women
Enlightened Despot
a king/queen who incorporated Enlightenment ideas into their government
ie. Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Joseph II
