Unit 2: The Enlightenment and Revolutions Terms List

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54 Terms

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Enlightenment

A movement in the 18th century that advocated the use of reason in the reappraisal of accepted ideas and social institutions.

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John Locke

English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights

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Natural Rights

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

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Consent of the Governed

People are the source of any and all governmental power

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Constitutionalism

Basic principle that government and those who govern must obey the law; the rule of law

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Montesquieu

French philosopher most known for having 3 branches of government to check the power of each other.

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Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

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Philosophes

Writers during the Enlightenment and who popularized the new ideas of the time.

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Voltaire

French philosopher. He believed in freedom of religion and speech.

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Rousseau

Philosopher who also advocated social contract ideals through the general will.

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American Revolution

the revolution of the American colonies against Great Britain

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Constitution

A written plan of government

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French Revolution

a rebellion of French people against their king in 1789

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Louis XVI (16th)

King of France during the French Revolution

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Marie Antoinette

Unpopular Queen of France (Madame Deficit)

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Estate System

a politically based system of stratification characterized by limited social mobility

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1 st Estate

Clergy, 3% of population, all of land, NOT TAXED!

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2 nd Estate

Nobles 3% of population, all of land, NOT TAXED!

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3 rd Estate

everyone else 97% of population All taxes

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Robespierre

leader of the Committee of Public Safety; chief architect of the Reign of Terror

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Bastille

Medieval fortress that was converted to a prison stormed by peasants for ammunition during the early stages of the French Revolution.

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Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

Adopted August 26, 1789, created by the National Assembly to give rights to all MEN.

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Jean Paul Marat

Marat (1743-93) helped launch the Reign of Terror and complied death lists, advocate of violent measures to achieve revolutionary goals. 

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Committee of Public Safety

Powerful group, led by Robespierre, set up to defeat all enemies of the revolution.

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Napoleon

French general who became emperor of France (1769-1821)

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Latin-American Revolutions

These revolutions were aimed at overthrowing the European powers that controlled these nations. Led by creoles.

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Peninsulares

Spanish-born, came to Latin America; ruled, highest social class.

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Creoles

Descendents of Spanish-born but born in Latin America; resented inferior social, political, economic status.

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Simon Bolivar

“The Liberator” - Venezuelan statesman who led the revolt of South American colonies against Spanish rule

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Moderate

centrist on the political spectrum - favored gradual change.

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Liberal

political philosophy advocating for individual rights and freedoms, to the left of moderates on the spectrum. 

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Conservative

To the right of moderates on the political spectrum. Want a return to the political and social order before the French Revolution. 

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Radical

Those in the extreme on both sides of the political spectrum, willing to use violence to achieve their aims. 

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nationalism

Ideology based on a shared culture or identity that promotes the interest of a particular nation-state. Can be unifying or divisive, can be positive or negative.

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revolutions of 1848

A series of political uprisings and rebellions throughout Europe that aimed to establish liberal or democratic governments in Europe, but that often failed.

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Otto von Bismarck

Prussian statesman that unified Germany through the use of realpolitik, nationalism, and blood and iron

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Blood and Iron

A phrase that refers to Bismarck’s attempts to use military force and industrialization to unify Germany. 

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Toussaint L’Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution.

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Double Debt

Reparations forced on Haiti by France that crippled its economy for over a century.

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Haitian Revolution

The first successful revolt of enslaved peoples to create an independent nation.

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Congress of Vienna

Conference held after the defeat of Napoleon to restore the borders to pre-1789 borders and restore monarchies to European 

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Metternich

Austrian statesman who played a key role at the Congress of Viena

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Balance of Power Diplomacy

foreign policy strategy that seeks to prevent any single nation or coalition from becoming too powerful, thereby preserving stability among competing states

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Jamaica letter

A letter written by Simón Bolívar in 1815, outlining his vision for independence in Latin America and expressing his disillusionment with Spain.

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Olympe de Gouges

French playwright and political activist who is best known for her work "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen," advocating for women's rights during the French Revolution.

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Reign of Terror

The period of violence during the French Revolution, characterized by mass executions and political purges initiated by the revolutionary government to eliminate perceived enemies.

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Napoleonic Code

The legal code established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804, which reaffirmed the principles of the French Revolution and is known for its impact on civil law in many countries.

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coup d’etat

A sudden, often violent overthrow of an existing government, typically executed by a small group within the state.

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The Directory

The governing body of France from 1795 to 1799, characterized by political instability and corruption, which ultimately led to its downfall and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

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The Tennis Court Oath

A pivotal event during the French Revolution where members of the Third Estate pledged not to disband until a new constitution was established for France.

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The National Assembly

A revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate in France in 1789, which played a key role in the early stages of the French Revolution by advocating for political reforms and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

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Realpolitik

A political ideology focused on practical and pragmatic approaches to governance, emphasizing the importance of power and pragmatism over morality or ideology.

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Gran blancs

The wealthy white plantation owners in Haiti who controlled the economy and social hierarchy prior to the Haitian Revolution.

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Scorched earth policy