Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment Memorization Chart

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key thinkers, major ideas, published books, and defining characteristics of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment.

Scientific Revolution (1500s–1600s)

A historical era defined by using observation and experiments instead of trusting the Church.

Enlightenment (late 1600s–1700s)

An intellectual movement that applied reason to government and society, growing out of the Scientific Revolution.

Copernicus

Astronomer who developed the heliocentric theory (the Sun is the center, contrasting with the Church's teaching of geocentric theory where Earth is the center) and authored On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres.

Heliocentric Theory

The astronomical model stating that the Sun is the center of the universe, opposing the Church's geocentric teaching that Earth is the center.

Kepler

Astronomer who formulated the laws of planetary motion, showing that planets orbit in ovals (ellipses) rather than circles; author of Astronomia Nova.

Galileo

Scientist who used a telescope to support the heliocentric theory, discovered that Jupiter has moons, the Sun has sunspots, the Moon is rough, and that heavy and light objects fall at the same speed; author of The Starry Messenger.

Newton

Scientist who formulated the law of gravity, 3 laws of motion, discovered the speed of sound, and invented calculus; author of Principia Mathematica.

Harvey

Physician who discovered blood circulation, demonstrating that the heart pumps blood around the body (countering the prior belief that blood was made in the liver); author of On the Motion of the Heart and Blood.

Descartes

French philosopher who finalized the scientific method and is famous for the quote: "I think, therefore I am."

Hobbes

Enlightenment thinker who believed people are naturally greedy and selfish, necessitating a strong government (absolute monarch); author of Leviathan.

Locke

Enlightenment philosopher who argued that people are good, possess natural rights (life, liberty, property), introduced the concept of tabula rasa (blank slate), and advocated limited government; author of Two Treatises of Government.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's concept of the human mind as a 'blank slate' at birth.

Montesquieu

Thinker who opposed absolute monarchy, advocating for separation of powers into 3 branches and checks and balances; author of The Spirit of the Laws.

Separation of Powers

The division of government authority into 3 distinct branches with checks and balances to prevent absolute monarchy, proposed by Montesquieu.

Rousseau

Philosopher who advocated for the social contract, consent of the governed, and equality, asserting that people are good but society corrupts them; author of The Social Contract.

Voltaire

Very outspoken Enlightenment thinker who championed freedom of speech and the separation of church and state; author of Candide.

Jefferson

Author who wrote the Declaration of Independence incorporating Enlightenment ideas, particularly those of John Locke.