Modern Era [Age of Revolutions Important People]

Thomas Hobbes

believed that people are born selfish and need a strong central authority

Louis IV of France

The Sun King; Absolute Monarch

Copernicus

Devised a model of the universe with the Sun at the center, and not earth.

Galileo Galilei

This scientist proved Copernicus' theory that the sun was the center of the solar system and developed the modern experimental method.

Sir Francis Bacon

Created the scientific method

Rene Decartes

Developed the scientific method

Isaac Newton

Defined the laws of motion and gravity.

John Locke

English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights

Baron de Montesquieu

believed government should have separation of powers

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

believed in social contract

Voltaire

believed in freedom of speech and religion

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence, borrowed John Locke's idea

Louis XVI of France

King of France at the beginning of the French Revolution

Marie Antoinette

Queen of France (as wife of Louis XVI) was guillotined during the French Revolution

Maximilien Robespierre

Revolutionary leader during the Reign of Terror

Napoleon Bonaparte

Overthrew the French revolutionary government and became emperor of France in 1804.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution.

Jacques Dessalines

He continued the fight for Haitian Independence

Simon Bolivar

Venezuelan statesman: leader of revolt of South American colonies against Spanish rule.

Jose de San Martin

Led independence movement in Chile and Peru.

Miguel Hidalgo

Mexican priest who led peasants in call for independence and improved conditions

Karl Marx

Founder of modern communism, wrote the Communist Manifesto

Adam Smith

Scottish economist who wrote the Wealth of Nations