Untitled Flashcards Set

Scientific Revolution

The period emphasizing that understanding the world should be driven by scientific methods and logical reasoning instead of tradition or church doctrine.

The Enlightenment

A philosophical movement stating that human beings can improve themselves and society through logic, reason, education, and government reform.

Scientific method

A systematic approach for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge using logical reasoning.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who proposed that natural rights (life, liberty, property) should be protected by government and advocated for the right to overthrow harmful governments.

Natural Rights

The fundamental rights inherent to all human beings, including life, liberty, and property as proposed by John Locke.

Montesquieu

Philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers and checks and balances in government to prevent abuse of power.

Voltaire

Enlightenment thinker known for opposing church authority and superstition while advocating for reason, tolerance, and freedom of speech.

Rousseau

Philosopher who introduced the idea of the Social Contract, suggesting that government derives power from the consent of the governed.

Separation of Church and State

The principle that government should remain neutral toward all religions and not favor one over another, advocated by Enlightenment thinkers.

Rights of Man and of the Citizen

Foundational document from the French Revolution, highlighting individual freedoms, equality before the law, and sovereignty residing in the people.

Storming of the Bastille

Event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, where angry citizens stormed a fortress prison to secure gunpowder.

Radicals/Jacobins

Political faction during the French Revolution that sought to completely abolish the monarchy and establish a republic.

Reign of Terror

Period during the French Revolution marked by extreme political violence and mass executions to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution.

Guillotine

Device used for executions during the French Revolution, symbolizing the equality of all individuals in death.

Role of Women in the Revolution

Women were among the first to experience hardship leading to riots and played a significant role in political activism during the French Revolution.

Continental System

Napoleon's economic policy that aimed to isolate Britain by prohibiting European trade with them, which ultimately failed.

Napoleonic Codes

Body of civil laws established by Napoleon that laid the foundation for modern legal systems in France.

Peninsular War

Conflict where Napoleon faced resistance from Spain and Portugal, leading to guerrilla warfare and significant losses.

Invasion of Russia

Napoleon's disastrous military campaign in 1812, resulting in massive troop losses due to harsh winter and supply issues.

Garibaldi

Italian nationalist leader who used popular uprisings to unify Italy, focusing on grassroots movements instead of military force.

Bismarck

Chancellor of Prussia who used diplomacy and military action to unify German states into a singular nation-state.

Nationalism

The belief that people with a shared culture, language, or history should form their own nation; increased during the era of Napoleon.

Urbanization

The swift increase in city populations driven by industrialization.

Capitalism

Economic system where trade and production are privately owned for profit, dominant during the Industrial Revolution.

Socialism

Economic system where the means of production are owned collectively for the general welfare of citizens.

Communism

Political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where all means of production are communally owned.

Factory System

Method of production that involves the concentration of labor in one area, using machinery to increase efficiency.

Labor Unions

Organizations of workers formed to advocate for better working conditions, wages, and rights through collective action.

Strikes

Work stoppages initiated by unionized workers aimed at pressing employers for improved conditions and pay.

Irish Potato Famine

A devastating famine caused by potato blight, exacerbated by British policies that neglected the Irish population's needs.