Humanities Exam 1 Flashcards
(41 cards)
What is the Enlightenment Era also known as?
Age of Reason
What intellectual movements characterized the Enlightenment?
Rationalism, scientific revolution
In which centuries did the Enlightenment occur?
17th and 18th century
Where did the Enlightenment begin?
Paris, Edinburgh, and Weimar
Which cities did the Enlightenment spread to?
London and New England
Who was Denis Diderot?
Editor of the first encyclopedia and an atheist
What concept did the Physiocrats influence?
The ‘rule of nature’, which influenced Adam Smith
What political concept did Montesquieu introduce?
Checks and balances
What did Voltaire emphasize?
Free speech and religious freedom
Voltaire was also an atheist.
What was Rousseau’s stance on the Enlightenment?
He disagreed with it.
What is the irony of Absolutism and the Enlightenment?
The Sun King promoted the Enlightenment.
What defines Absolutism?
The king holds all power and does not answer to anyone except God.
Who was the Absolutist Sun King?
Louis XIV
What is Louis XIV’s famous quote?
“I am the state”
Did the Enlightenment support Absolutism?
No, it did not, but opinions were divided at the time.
What was Thomas Hobbes’ view on Absolutism?
He favored it, believing the social contract gives all power to the king.
What was John Locke’s view on Absolutism?
He was against it, believing the social contract gives some power to rulers.
Who were some key Absolutist figures?
King Louis XIV of France, Peter the Great and Catherine the Great of Russia, Frederick the Great of Prussia
What was Peter the Great’s contribution to Russia?
He established St. Petersburg as the new capital.
What was St. Petersburg nicknamed?
“Window to the west”
What significant institution did Peter the Great establish?
Russian Academy of Sciences
What period is referred to as the Age of Revolution?
1775-1795
Which revolution came first, the American or the French?
The American Revolution
What characterized the American Revolution?
It was led by elites embracing Enlightenment ideas.
