The Enlightenment: Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering Enlightenment terms from Notes (Pages 1–3).

The Enlightenment/Age of Reason

A period when people questioned traditional beliefs and developed new ideas about human existence, rights, and government.

The Scientific Revolution

The rise of modern science based on the scientific method and systematic experimentation.

rationalism

A system of thought that reason is the chief source of knowledge.

republic

A government in which the people rule through elected representatives.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government into separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power.

Federalism

A form of government where power is shared between national and state governments.

radical

Representing extreme views about politics or society.

Estate

One of the three classes in pre-revolutionary French society (Clergy, Nobles, townspeople).

Clergy

The first estate; members of the church in the ancien régime.

Nobles

The second estate; the French aristocracy.

townspeople

The third estate; common people and the middle class within the third estate.

bourgeoisie

The middle class, including merchants, industrialists, and professionals.

coup d'etat

A sudden overthrow of the government.

absolute monarchy

A system where a hereditary ruler has total power and citizens have little to no choice.

democracy

A system where the people hold power, usually through elected representatives (often a democratic republic).

natural rights

Fundamental rights that all humans are born with, such as life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.

social contract

An agreement between the people and their ruler in which people give up some rights in exchange for order and protection.

consent of the governed

The authority of a government depends on citizens agreeing to be governed; if the government fails, they have the right to revolt.

state of nature

No government, rules, or laws; complete freedom.