The Scientific Revolution and the Industrial Revolution

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and important concepts related to the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions, along with relevant social theories and historical figures.

Francis Bacon

An English philosopher known for advocating the inductive method and scientific observation in his work Novum Organum (1620).

Flying Shuttle

An invention by John Kay in 1733 that allowed weavers to work faster and handle wider fabrics.

Spinning Jenny

A multi-spindle frame invented by James Hargreaves in 1764 that increased the speed of spinning thread.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to research involving observation, experimentation, and the formulation of hypotheses.

Empiricism

Knowledge derived from sensory experience and observation rather than theory alone.

Faith-based Knowledge

The worldview during the Middle Ages governed by religious authority and scripture.

Aristotle

An Ancient Greek philosopher whose early forms of empiricism laid foundations for modern science.

Industrial Revolution

A period that saw the transition from hand production to mechanization, significantly changing global economic power.

Water Frame

Invented by Richard Arkwright in 1769, a machine that used water power to drive spinning wheels.

Steam Engine

Originally invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712 and later improved by James Watt, it became a key power source during the Industrial Revolution.

Coal Mining

The process of extracting coal, which became essential for steam power during the Industrial Revolution.

Urbanization

The massive migration from rural areas to cities due to industrialization.

Nobility (Aristocracy)

The traditional land-owning elite in the social class structure of the Industrial Revolution.

Bourgeoisie (Bourgeois)

The rising middle class, often consisting of factory owners and professionals during the Industrial Revolution.

Proletariat (Proletarian)

The urban working class who sold their labor for wages.

Public Health

The state of health in urban areas, which faced severe overcrowding and sanitation issues during industrialization.

Robert Koch

Known as the father of microbiology; he discovered the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis and cholera.

Laissez-faire

An economic philosophy advocating for minimal government interference in the market.

Natural Rights

Fundamental, inalienable rights believed to belong to all individuals.

Social Contract

The theory that government is an agreement between the ruled and the ruler.

Limited Government

The doctrine that the state's role should be confined to specific functions.

Invisible Hand

A metaphor by Adam Smith describing how self-interest in a market promotes public good.

Utilitarianism

A philosophy arguing that the best actions are those that produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Constitutionalism

A practice of limiting government power through a formal constitution.

Empirical Knowledge

Knowledge based on observation rather than dogma.

Survival of the Fittest

A term often misattributed to Darwin, applying the idea of natural selection to human society.

Social Darwinism

The belief in the natural superiority of certain individuals or groups, often used to justify socioeconomic inequalities.

Socialism

Political and economic theory advocating for social ownership and democratic control of the means of production.

Communism

Political theory advocating for class war and leading to a society in which property is publicly owned.

Dialectic

A philosophical framework involving thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, often applied to historical development.

Immutable Laws of History

The belief that historical developments follow predictable and unchangeable patterns.

Christian Socialism

An ideology that applies Christian principles to address societal issues, particularly inequality and poverty.

The Factory System

A method of manufacturing involving the centralization of labor and machinery in one facility, replacing the domestic system of hand production.

Division of Labor

The breakdown of a complex production process into smaller, specialized tasks assigned to specific workers to increase efficiency.

Enclosure Movement

The legal process in England of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms, which contributed to the displacement of rural workers and fueled urbanization.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and the creation of goods and services for profit in a free market.

The Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17^{th} and 18^{th} centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individualism over traditional religious authority.

Means of Production

The physical and non-financial inputs used in the production of goods, such as factories, machinery, and tools.

Mass Production

The manufacture of large quantities of standardized products, often utilizing assembly lines and mechanized technology.

Secularism

The principle of separating state and social affairs from religious institutions, a key transition during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical process associated with René Descartes where a conclusion is reached by starting with general premises or 'clear and distinct ideas' to arrive at specific truths.