17th Century (1600s) Flashcards
(34 cards)
1
Q
Who was James I and why is he significant? (r.1603-1625)
A
- Who He Was:
- The first Stuart king of England, previously James VI of Scotland.
- Significance:
- Authorized the King James Bible in 1611.
- Attempted to unify England and Scotland.
2
Q
What was the Gunpowder Plot, and what were its goals? (1605)
A
- What It Was:
- A failed Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Protestant King James I.
- Goals:
- Planned to bomb the English Parliament.
- Intended to restore Catholicism in England.
3
Q
What led to the downfall of Charles I, and how did his reign end? (r.1625-1649)
A
- What It Was:
- Charles I’s authoritarian rule, including his dismissal of Parliament, royal prerogative led to widespread unrest.
- Significance:
- Charles I was defeated by Parliamentary forces, captured, and executed in 1649, marking the first time an English monarch was tried and executed by his own subjects.
4
Q
What were the key causes and outcomes of the English Civil War? (1642-1651)
A
- Causes:
- A series of conflicts between Royalists (Charles I) and Parliamentarians (Oliver Cromwell) .
- Outcomes:
- Royalists defeated, Charles I executed, and the monarchy abolished.
- Led to the establishment of the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell.
5
Q
What was the Commonwealth of England and how did it come about? (1649-1660)
A
- What It Was:
- A republican government established after the execution of Charles I, abolishing the monarchy and the House of Lords.
- How It Came About:
- Led by Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector.
- The Commonwealth ended with Cromwell’s death, leading to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
6
Q
How did Oliver Cromwell rise to power, and what role did he play in the Commonwealth? (c.1599-1658)
A
- Rise to Power:
- Key leader of the Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War.
- Role in Commonwealth:
- Became Lord Protector of England.
- Ruled as a de facto dictator until his death in 1658.
7
Q
What was the Stuart Restoration, and why did it occur? (1660)
A
- What It Was:
- The re-establishment of the monarchy under Charles II after the collapse of the Commonwealth.
- Why It Occurred:
- Charles II was invited back to assume the throne after the collapse of the Commonwealth.
- Marked the end of republican rule and the re-establishment of the Stuart dynasty.
8
Q
Who was Charles II and how did his reign stabilize England after the Commonwealth? (r.1660-1685)
A
- Who He Was:
- Charles II was the son of Charles I, restored to the throne after the Commonwealth’s failures.
- Stabilization:
- Re-established the monarchy and the Church of England.
- Brought relative stability after the turmoil of the Civil War and Commonwealth.
9
Q
What were the consequences of the Great Fire of London for the city’s development? (1666)
A
- Consequences:
- Led to significant rebuilding efforts.
- The city was redesigned with wider streets and more fire-resistant buildings.
- Changes in urban planning and fire safety regulations were implemented.
10
Q
What was the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and how did it change the English monarchy?
A
- What It Was:
- A bloodless coup in which James II was overthrown and replaced by William III and Mary II, invited by Parliament to rule.
- Significance:
- Established the principle of a constitutional monarchy with Parliament holding significant power over the crown.
- Affirmed the supremacy of Parliament, leading to the creation of the English Bill of Rights.
11
Q
Who were co-rulers William III and Mary II? (r.1689-1702)
A
- Who They Were:
- William III of Orange and his wife, Mary II, daughter of James II, were invited by Parliament to rule England after the Glorious Revolution.
- Significance:
- Their reign marked the beginning of a constitutional monarchy in England.
- They oversaw the passage of the English Bill of Rights (1689), which solidified Parliament’s authority.
12
Q
What was the English Bill of Rights? (1689)
A
- What It Was:
- A document passed by Parliament outlining the rights of citizens and limiting the powers of the monarchy.
- Significance:
- Established key principles like the supremacy of Parliament, free elections, and the right to a fair trial.
- Marked the beginning of constitutional monarchy in England, limiting the king’s powers.
13
Q
What were the key developments of the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century? (c.1550-1700)
A
- Key Developments:
- A period of major advancements in scientific thought that the groundwork for modern science.
- Introduced the scientific method, emphasized observation and experimentation, and saw the work of figures like Galileo, Newton, and Kepler.
- Fundamentally changed how the natural world was understood.
14
Q
What contributions did Isaac Newton make to the Scientific Revolution? (c.1642-1727)
A
- Key Contributions:
- Work in physics and mathematics, particularly laws of motion and universal gravitation.
- Principia Mathematica (1687) laid the foundation for classical mechanics.
- His discoveries revolutionized scientific thought.
15
Q
What was the Royal Society and why is it significant? (1660)
A
- What It Was:
- An institution founded in London (1660) to promote scientific knowledge.
- Significance:
- Played a crucial role in the advancement of science during the Scientific Revolution.
16
Q
Who was Robert Hooke and why is he significant? (c.1635-1703)
A
- Who He Was:
- Scientist known for his work with the microscope.
- Significance:
- Pioneered the study of microorganisms, plant cells, and other tiny structures.
- His discoveries opened up a new world of biological exploration.
17
Q
What is the historical context of the Steam Engine, including its inventor? (1698)
A
- Who Invented It:
- Thomas Savery patented the steam engine in 1698.
- Historical Context:
- Designed to pump water out of mines.
- Used steam pressure to create a vacuum and operate the pump.
- Significant as the first practical steam-powered pump, paving the way for later developments by Newcomen and Watt.
18
Q
Who was Margaret Cavendish and why is she significant? (c.1623-1673)
A
- Who She Was:
- A prominent English writer and philosopher.
- Significance:
- Wrote on science, feminism, and social commentary.
- Notable works include The Blazing World and Observations upon Experimental Philosophy.
- One of the first women to attend a scientific meeting and a critic of the scientific establishment.
19
Q
Who was John Locke and why is he significant? (c.1632-1704)
A
- Who He Was:
- Philosopher and political theorist.
- Significance:
- Known for Two Treatises of Government and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
- Argued for natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
- His ideas heavily influenced the development of liberal democracy.
20
Q
Who was Thomas Hobbes and why is he significant? (c.1588-1679)
A
- Who He Was:
- Philosopher best known for Leviathan (1651).
- Significance:
- Outlined his views on human nature and the need for a strong, centralized authority.
- Advocated for a social contract where individuals cede some freedoms to a sovereign for security and order.
21
Q
What was the significance of the Jamestown Colony? (c.1607-present)
A
- What It Was:
- The first permanent English settlement in North America, established in Virginia.
- Significance:
- Marked the beginning of British colonization in the Americas.
- Despite early struggles, it laid the foundation for future English colonies.
22
Q
What is The Royal Society’s famous motto?
A
- Motto:
- Nullius in verba (“On no one’s word”).
- Significance:
- Encourages independent discovery and learning rather than accepting authorities uncritically.
beseech = encourage, implores
23
Q
What are Isaac Newton’s Three Laws of Motion? (1687)
A
- Law 1: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
- Law 2: The force acting on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration (F=ma).
- Law 3: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
- These laws became the cornerstone of physics, influencing all subsequent developments in the field.
24
Q
What are the main arguments in John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government? (1689)
A
- Main Arguments:
- Argued against the divine right of kings and absolute monarchy.
- Proposed the idea of a social contract and government by consent.
- Governments must protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property.
- Citizens have the right to overthrow a government that fails to do so.
25
What are the key ideas in John Locke’s *An Essay Concerning Human Understanding*? (1689)
* Key Ideas:
* A foundational text in the philosophy of empiricism, arguing that human knowledge is derived from sensory experience.
* Locke rejected the notion of innate ideas, asserting that the mind at birth is a "tabula rasa" (blank slate).
* Laid the groundwork for empiricism.
26
What is John Locke’s Theory of Natural Rights? (1689)
* Theory:
* All individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
* These rights are inherent and cannot be surrendered or taken away.
* Influenced the development of modern democratic thought.
27
What are the key ideas in Thomas Hobbes’ *Leviathan*? (1651) very good card
* Key Ideas:
* A strong, centralized authority is essential to prevent the natural state of human society from descending into disorder.
* Hobbes described the state of nature as a challenging environment where, without a common power to enforce laws, individuals would be in constant competition, leading to conflict.
* He argued for a social contract where people agree to submit to a sovereign authority, not as a sign of weakness, but as a rational decision to ensure peace and stability.
28
What is Thomas Hobbes' Social Contract Theory? (1651)
* Theory:
* A theory proposing that in the state of nature, humans, recognizing the risks of ungoverned freedom, rationally choose to establish a common authority to maintain order.
* Hobbes believed that individuals willingly agree to surrender certain freedoms to a sovereign in exchange for security and the preservation of peace.
29
What role did the Navigation Acts (1651) play in 17th-century England?
* What They Were:
* A series of laws regulating trade between England and its colonies, aimed at promoting British maritime commerce.
* Significance:
* Required that goods imported into England or its colonies be carried on English ships.
* Strengthened English maritime power and control over colonial trade.
30
What was the role of the East India Company in 17th-century England?
* Role:
* A powerful trading corporation established to control British trade in India and Southeast Asia.
* Controlled large territories and acted as a proxy government in India.
* Laid the groundwork for British colonial rule in Asia.
31
What was the significance of the Anglo-Dutch Wars (1652-1674)?
* What They Were:
* A series of naval conflicts between England and the Dutch Republic, primarily over trade routes and maritime supremacy.
* Significance:
* The wars led to English dominance in global trade and the eventual decline of Dutch maritime power.
* Resulted in varying victories, with England eventually securing a stronger position in global trade by the end of the 17th century.
32
What was the Thirty Years’ War and England's role in it? (1618-1648)
* Role:
* A devastating conflict across Europe, primarily fought between Protestant and Catholic states.
* England’s involvement was limited, but it supported Protestant allies financially and diplomatically.
* The war’s outcome weakened the Holy Roman Empire.
33
Who was John Bunyan, and why is he significant in theological literature? (c.1628-1688)
* Who He Was:
* English writer and preacher, best known for his allegorical work *The Pilgrim’s Progress*.
* Significance:
* *The Pilgrim’s Progress* illustrated the spiritual journey of a believer.
* Bunyan’s work, written during his imprisonment for preaching without a license, profoundly impacted Protestant thought.
34
Who was Guy Fawkes and why is he significant? (c.1570-1606)
* Who He Was:
* Leader of the failed Catholic Gunpowder Plot to assassinate Protestant King James I.
* Significance:
* Fawkes’ capture and execution foiled the plot, leading to the celebration of Nov. 5th as Guy Fawkes Day in Britain.
