5.1 Age of Enlightenment

antisemitism

fear or hatred of Jewish people; SIGNIFICANCE: Without their own nation-state, Jews will chronically face this problem

capitalism

economic policy where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. This system encourages competition and innovation, leading to economic growth and consumer choice; SIGNIFICANCE: This economic system assumes entrepreneurs will act on their good morals, which isn’t supported by historical evidence of unregulated markets.

deism

religious belief that God is the "universal clockmaker," creating all substance through scientific laws and principals. SIGNIFICANCE: Without a belief in divine intervention and with a focus on science, philosophes who followed this practice often faced criticism from Christians.

disenfranchised

deprived of some right or privilege; SIGNIFICANCE: Especially associated with the desire to vote.

Dreyfus Affair

(1894) antisemitic French scandal wrongfully convicting Alfred Dreyfus (Jewish), of treason. SIGNIFICANCE: The case drew global media attention and launched Zionism.

egalitarianism

promotion of equality among people. SIGNIFICANCE: Very difficult to achieve in practice.

empiricism/empirical

theory that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. SIGNIFICANCE: Basis for Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment.

Enlightenment

European intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries SIGNIFICANCE: Emphasized the use of reason and empiricism to advance understanding of the universe.

franchise

right to vote. SIGNIFICANCE: Most individuals lacked access until the 20th century.

laissez faire

economic response to mercantilism that promotes markets free from government intervention; SIGNIFICANCE: Favored business profits over workforce regulations.

Long 19th Century

alternative term for the period 1750-1914; SIGNIFICANCE: This is due to the chronic nature of major political, economic, social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred during this time.

manumission

freeing of people from coerced labor/bondage; SIGNIFICANCE: The 19th century was marked by the freeing of most enslaved people in Europe and North America.

natural rights

universal freedoms of all living things; SIGNIFICANCE: Basis for most liberal ideas.

philosophe

18th century philosophers who were interested in nature, government, laws, and progress; SIGNIFICANCE: Created body of work that launched the Age of Revolution.

pogrom

an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group; SIGNIFICANCE: Often focused on Jews.

popular sovereignty

the idea that governments need consent from the governed; SIGNIFICANCE: Led to the development of democratic institutions.

salon

intellectual gathering by an inspiring host to engage in intellectual conversation; SIGNIFICANCE: Furthered philosophical ideas.

social contract

individuals give up certain natural rights to a government to secure protections or other rights. SIGNIFICANCE: No one is entirely free, but they are protected by their sovereign state.

suffrage

right to vote; SIGNIFICANCE: Women lacked it until the 20th century.

volksgeist

unique spirit and character of a people; SIGNIFICANCE: Used to create cultural nationalism.