oui oui

John Locke

Believed that when we are born, our minds are blank, and our experiences are what shape our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors (Tabula rasa).

Montesquieu

Approached the study of governments like a scientist, using observation and analysis to understand their workings (The Spirit of Laws). He believed that dividing power among different branches of government and creating checks and balances would prevent any one person or group from becoming too powerful, thus promoting a more stable and just society.

Voltaire

Defended Deism, a religious philosophy based on reason and natural law. Criticized Christianity for its intolerance and instead advocated for a more rational and tolerant approach to spirituality.

Diderot

Created the Encyclopedia to change the general way of thinking. The Encyclopedia promoted social, legal, and political improvements

Adam Smith

Adam Smith believed in economic self-interest benefiting society and argued that the state should not interfere in economic forces. In his Wealth of Nations, he believed that the government had only three roles: Protecting society from invasion (the army), Defending citizens from injustice (the police), Keeping up certain public works, such as roads and canals

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Believed that individuals in a society should come together to form a social contract, where they agree to be governed by the general will of the community. This means that the people as a whole have the ultimate authority and should make decisions that benefit the entire society, rather than just a few individuals. In essence, the social contract is a mutual agreement among members of a society to prioritize the common good and work together for the benefit of all.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Founded the modern movement for women's rights. Argued that women are entitled to the same rights as men. Believed that women's education and independence were essential for a just and equal society.

Absolutism

A political system with unlimited ruler power, often claiming it was given by a higher power. The ruler had complete control over their country and its people, without any formal checks or balances on their power.

Causes and Impact of Absolutism

It caused religious and territorial conflicts, the growth of armies (to deal with conflicts caused with rulers to raise taxes to pay troops), and heavy taxes (led to additional unrest and peasant revolts). It impacted administrative efficiency, suppression of dissent, and economic inequality.

Louis XIV

Believed that he was chosen by God to rule with absolute power over France. He centralized authority and control in his own hands, making all major decisions himself. Supported the arts to glorify his reign and depict him as a powerful ruler.

The Palace of Versailles

A physical representation of Louis XIV's power and wealth and was where all the important stuff happened like political, social, and cultural activities.

French Revolution

A result of people feeling unfairly treated because of their social status, struggling financially, and wanting more say in how their country was governed. Led to a widespread desire for change and ultimately sparked the revolution.

Causes of the French Revolution

Economic crises (In order to pay for these extremely expensive wars, the French government had to significantly raise taxes. However, the clergy and nobility were exempt from these taxes)

Imbalance in the Estates-General (One vote per estate. Unfortunately, the clergy and nobilities goals almost always aligned giving them 2/3 majority when it came to decision making)

Bread shortages (Bad harvests lead to bread shortages meaning that the commoners were starving)

The Three Estates

First Estate: The Clergy
Second Estate: The Nobility
Third Estate: The Commoners

Nobility and clergy aligned against commoners, commoners declared themselves the National Assembly.

Beginning of French Revolution

Started when the commoners formed a new government called the National Assembly. They then stormed the Bastille, a symbol of the monarchy's power, and eventually established a republic, marking a major shift in power from the monarchy to the people.

The official beginning of the French Revolution

Storming of the Bastille by the San-Culottes, a rebel group.

The Liberal Phase

During the liberal phase, a constitutional monarchy was established, meaning that the king's powers were limited by a constitution. Additionally, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was created to outline the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people. This phase marked a shift towards more democratic and individual rights-focused governance.

The Radical Phase

During the radical phase of the French Revolution, the government became more extreme and took drastic actions to eliminate the monarchy and its supporters. This included executing the king and using violent measures to suppress opposition. The National Convention, which was in power during this time, aimed to completely overhaul the existing political and social structures.

Liberty

Being free from oppressive restrictions

Freedom

Ability to act, speak, think without hindrance

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

Natural Rights

The idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Democracy

Power vested in people, through elected representatives

Nationalism

Loyalty and devotion to a particular nationality

The Haitian Revolution

The only successful slave revolt that led to the establishment of an independent nation ruled by former slaves.

Saint-Domingue

Prosperous French colony with enslaved labor

Revolt of 1791

Haitian Revolution started with slave uprising in 1791. Led by Toussaint Louverture, a former enslaved person with military skills, the revolt quickly spread across the colony. Enslaved Africans seized control of plantations and fought against French colonial forces.

Abolition of Slavery

In 1793, the French revolutionary government abolished slavery in all French territories, including Saint-Domingue, in response to pressure from enslaved Africans and free people of color.

Simón Bolívar

A Venezuelan military and political leader who played a leading role in the establishment of Venezuela. Led military campaigns against Spanish forces and secured independence for several South American nations. Advocated for republican governments based on democracy, equality, and freedom

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was like a giant leap in technology and innovation that changed the way things were made. It made production faster and more efficient, which led to more goods being available and more people moving to cities to work in factories. Overall, it transformed the way people lived and worked.

Causes of the Industrial Revolution

Key causes of the Industrial Revolution included easy access to water, raw materials, improved agricultural productivity, urbanization, accumulation of capital, and the development of the factory system.

Mechanization of Production

Innovations such as the Spinning Jenny, Power Loom, and Steam Engine revolutionized manufacturing and transportation, leading to increased efficiency and expansion of markets.

Factory System

Centralized production in large-scale factories specialized labor, and utilized machinery to mechanize production processes.

Urbanization

The growth of industrial cities, and the utilization of new energy sources such as coal and petroleum.

Transportation and New Forms of Energy

Inventions such as Steam Power, Railways, Steamships, and New Energy Sources allowed transportation of goods and people to be more easily accessible.