Key Figures Flashcards
(35 cards)
Who is known as the ‘Father of Humanism’?
Petrarch
Petrarch was an early Renaissance thinker who emphasized the study of classical texts.
What is the title of Machiavelli’s work that discusses realist political theory?
The Prince
Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ is a foundational text in political science.
Which Christian humanist wrote ‘In Praise of Folly’?
Erasmus
Erasmus critiqued the Church and society through satire in this work.
What document did Martin Luther famously post to initiate the Protestant Reformation?
95 Theses
The 95 Theses criticized the sale of indulgences and called for church reform.
What theological concept is John Calvin best known for?
Predestination
Calvin’s teachings emphasized God’s sovereignty and the idea that salvation is predetermined.
Which monarch initiated the English Reformation by establishing the Anglican Church?
Henry VIII
Henry VIII’s desire for an annulment led to the break from the Catholic Church.
What was Elizabeth I known for in relation to religious compromise?
Religious compromise, defeat of Spanish Armada
Elizabeth I’s reign was marked by the balance between Protestantism and Catholicism.
Who was the key figure in Portuguese exploration known as ‘Prince Henry the Navigator’?
Prince Henry the Navigator
He played a significant role in the early days of the Portuguese Empire.
What significant event is Christopher Columbus known for?
Voyages to the Americas
Columbus’s expeditions opened up the New World for European colonization.
What title is Louis XIV known by?
Sun King
Louis XIV’s reign is synonymous with absolute monarchy and the grandeur of Versailles.
What was Peter the Great’s major contribution to Russia?
Westernization of Russia
Peter the Great implemented reforms to modernize Russia’s military and culture.
Which English monarch’s reign was marked by absolutism and led to the English Civil War?
Charles I of England
His conflicts with Parliament ultimately resulted in his execution.
Who was the Puritan military leader known as the Lord Protector?
Oliver Cromwell
Cromwell led the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War.
What theory is Copernicus best known for?
Heliocentric theory
Copernicus proposed that the sun, rather than the Earth, is at the center of the universe.
What instrument did Galileo Galilei improve that led to conflict with the Church?
Telescope
Galileo’s observations supported heliocentrism, challenging Church doctrine.
What are Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion associated with?
Laws of motion and gravity
Newton’s laws laid the foundation for classical mechanics.
Who is known for the concept of natural rights and the social contract?
John Locke
Locke’s ideas influenced democratic thought and the development of liberalism.
What principle is Voltaire famous for advocating?
Religious tolerance, freedom of speech
Voltaire was a strong critic of religious intolerance and censorship.
What concept did Rousseau introduce related to governance?
General will, social contract
Rousseau emphasized the collective will of the people as the basis of legitimate authority.
What is Montesquieu known for in political theory?
Separation of powers
Montesquieu’s ideas influenced the structure of modern democratic governments.
Who was the king of France during the French Revolution?
Louis XVI
Louis XVI’s inability to address financial crises led to his downfall.
What period is associated with Maximilien Robespierre?
Reign of Terror
Robespierre was a leading figure during a time of extreme political purging in France.
What legal framework is associated with Napoleon Bonaparte?
Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code established civil law principles that influenced many legal systems.
Who wrote ‘Wealth of Nations’ and is considered the father of capitalism?
Adam Smith
Smith’s work laid the foundation for modern economic theory and capitalism.
