Enlightenment and Revolutions

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the Enlightenment and associated revolutions.

Enlightenment

A movement in the 1700s where people used reason and science to question government, religion, and rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that government power comes from the people.

Social Contract

An agreement where people give some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and order.

Scientific Revolution

A time when scientists used experiments and observations to understand the world instead of just relying on religion or tradition.

Nationalism

Pride and loyalty to your nation or people with shared culture/language.

Abolitionist Movement

A movement to end slavery.

Feminism

The belief that women should have equal rights with men.

North American Declaration of Independence

1776 document stating the colonies were free from Britain and people have natural rights (life, liberty, happiness).

French Revolution

1789 uprising where the people overthrew the king due to taxes, inequality, and Enlightenment ideas.

National Assembly

Group formed by the Third Estate to create a new, fair government.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Document stating that all men are equal and have rights like liberty and property.

Reign of Terror

Period during the French Revolution when it became violent and thousands were executed.

Guillotine

Machine used to execute people quickly during the French Revolution.

Robespierre

Radical leader during the Reign of Terror.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Military leader who took control of France, spread revolutionary ideas, but ruled like an emperor.

Haitian Revolution

Successful slave revolt that won independence from France.

Gran Blancs

Wealthy white plantation owners in Haiti.

Petit Blancs

Poor/working-class whites in Haiti.

Gens de Couleur Libres

Free people of mixed race in Haiti.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian slave revolt.

Simón Bolívar

Liberator who helped free northern South America.

José de San Martín

Leader who helped free southern South America.

Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Book by Mary Wollstonecraft arguing that women deserve education and rights.

Seneca Falls Convention (1848)

First major women’s rights meeting in the U.S.

Galileo

Proved the sun-centered solar system with evidence.

Newton

Formulated the laws of motion and gravity; explained how the universe follows natural laws.

Voltaire

Supported free speech and religious tolerance.

Rousseau

Believed that government should follow the general will of the people.

John Locke

Philosopher who argued that people have natural rights (life, liberty, property) and can overthrow bad governments.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Leader of Seneca Falls; fought for women’s voting rights.

North American Revolution

A revolution where the 13 colonies broke away from Great Britain to form the United States, inspired by tax protests, Enlightenment ideas, and the belief in natural rights and self-government.