revolutionary era/enlightenment Flashcards
(47 cards)
Principia Mathematica
published by Newton in 1687, marks start of Enlightenment (calculus)
Gottfried Leibniz
philosopher who invented calculus independent to Newton
Rise of Napoleon
1804, marks end of Enlightenment
scientific revolution
period where many modern sciences and maths emerged, emphasis on logic and reasoning, challenged ancient technologies from the Greeks
Enlightenment ideas
emphasized evidence and reasoning rather than Biblical or ancient knowledge, humanism, natural rights and the role of government
humanism
the belief that people are the center of things, not a god; and the value and wellbeing of humans is more important than divine intervention
Adam Smith
Scottish, wrote “The Wealth of Nations,” theorized about a capitalist society, believed in self-interest and the “invisible hand” where businesses were regulated by themselves and supply/demand, not the government
John Locke
English, wrote about natural rights and social contract, believed governments must exist to protect rights that came into existence when societies were created, “tabula rasa,” rule of law, life + liberty + property
tabula rasa
belief of John Locke that people are born a blank slate and society shapes them
rule of law
laws are decided by the people
Rene Descartes
French, “cogito ergo sum,” Cartegian plane
cogito ergo sum
“I think, therefore I am,” belief of Descartes that although we do not know what really exists, as long as we have thought, the one certainty is our own existence
Cartegian plane
xy axes, represents mathematic equations as shapes on a plane to understand formulas
Voltaire
French, civil liberties, free speech, religious rights for minorities
Rousseau
French, social contract, republicanism, state of nature vs. civil society (governments must preserve the rights that naturally exist in nature while providing the benefits of a civilized society)
Deism
religious philosophy that describes God as a “clockmaker” (clock that runs perfectly forever without needing to be fixed) who created the universe and is no longer involved in everyday affairs, not using religion to explain world, secular, American founders were Deists
Great Awakening
revivalism in English colonies to turn America back to a more religious government, mostly comprised of marginalized people, opposed materialism and supported individualism
materialism
desire for worldly things like money and physical possessions, people during the GA believed churches were too focused on this
individualism
split from traditional churches that people during the GA believed were corrupt from materialism, opposed sermons that benefited powerful churches and supported people taking control of their own religious beliefs and creating their own church groups
regions of GA
mid-Atlantic (Virginia-NY) and Southern colonies rather than New England (Connecticut and up)
itinerant preachers
wandering preachers during the GA who did spontaneous, less organized sermons throughout the English colonies with large groups of strangers (supported Puritan-like religious fervor) (George Whitefield)
New Lights
more radical group during GA, wanted to completely change church system and criticized materialism heavily (Jonathan Edwards)
Old Lights
more conservative group during GA, accepting of some materialism and thought New Lights were too radical
George Whitefield
popular and engaging itinerant preacher, founded Methodist movement