Untitled Flashcards Set

Scientific Revolution

A period of significant advances in scientific thought and experimentation during the 16th and 17th centuries that challenged traditional views of the universe.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 18th century emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority, which influenced political and social reform.

Heliocentrism

The astronomical model proposed by Copernicus that places the sun at the center of the solar system, contrary to the geocentric view.

Empiricism

The philosophical belief that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience, as promoted by thinkers like Bacon.

Natural Rights

The idea that all individuals possess inherent rights, such as life, liberty, and property, central to Enlightenment philosophy and influential in the development of modern democracy.

Social Contract

A theory developed by Hobbes and Rousseau suggesting that individuals consent to form a government to protect their rights, often involving a trade-off of certain freedoms for security.

Bourgeoisie

The social class of the middle and upper-middle classes who owned the means of production and were influential in the French Revolution.

Radicals

Individuals who advocate for fundamental changes in political, social, or economic structures, particularly during the French Revolution.

Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution characterized by extreme political repression and mass executions, led by Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety.

Napoleonic Code

A comprehensive set of laws established by Napoleon that aimed to reform the legal system in France, emphasizing equality and secularism.

Continental System

Napoleon's economic strategy aimed at weakening Britain by prohibiting trade between Britain and other European countries.

Congress of Vienna

A conference held after Napoleon's defeat to establish a balance of power in Europe and prevent future conflicts, emphasizing diplomacy and stability.

Industrial Revolution

A period of rapid industrial growth and change in the late 18th and early 19th centuries characterized by the shift from agrarian economies to industrialized ones.

Urbanization

The process of population movement from rural areas to cities, often a result of industrialization, leading to significant social changes.

Laissez-faire

An economic policy of minimal government intervention in the economy, allowing businesses to operate freely.

Socialism

An economic and political system advocating for collective or governmental ownership of the means of production, aimed at reducing inequality.

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means, particularly during the 19th century.

Paternalism

A governance style in which authorities provide for the needs of the population while limiting their rights and freedoms, often used in colonial contexts.

Sphere of Influence

A region where a foreign power exerts significant control or influence over the local government and economy, often without direct political control.

Extraterritorial Rights

Legal agreements that grant foreign nationals the ability to live under their own laws rather than the laws of the local government.