Articles of Confederation
founding documents that reflected American colonists, fear of strong central gov. (Americas first constitution)
John Locke
agreed that people are born with a blank mind
Galileo Galilei
first European to explore the universe with a telescope
universal law of gravitation
explains why planetary bodies stay in orbit around the sun
bill of rights
ten amendments that guarantee certain freedoms
Laissez-faire
idea that the state should not interfere with economy
Rene Descartes
father of modern rationalism
Nicolaus Copernicus
believed that the universe was heliocentric
First Estate
Social class made up of French clergy
Bourgeoisie
French middle class
Estates General
French Parliament
National Assembly
name taken by the third estate
French Revolution
trigger by the economic crisis of inflation and widespread unemployment
Voltaire
championed the religious philosophy of deism which was based on reason and natural law
Napoleon Bonaparte and legacy
military success foreshadowed leadership ability; downfall in 1812 when he invaded Russia; his civil code treated woman as less than men; coalitions of European nations and nationalism collapsed his empire
Enlightened Abolitionists
safeguarded the welfare of the state
Treaty of Paris
France forced to withdraw from India
Rousseau
believed society agreed to be governed by its general will
Reign of Terror
Time period of Montesquieu's rule, began with King Louis XVI's execution and ended with the establishment of the Directory
Seven Years War
Austria V. Prussia; Battle of Silesia
Montesquieu
separation of powers used for US constitution
Congress of Vienna
aimed to restore power to European monarchs
waterloo
Napoleons final defeat
the Directory
French Revolutionary gov. made to end the Reign of Terror
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
called for an end to aristocratic privileges