HIST 102 Study Guide for Second Midterm Exam

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts for the HIST 102 midterm exam.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in Europe emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authorities, significantly impacting politics and social thought.

Voltaire

A prominent Enlightenment writer and philosopher known for his advocacy of civil liberties and criticism of the Church and the French government.

French Revolution

A pivotal period in French history (1789-1799) marked by radical social and political change, leading to the end of monarchy and rise of republicanism.

Jacobins

A radical political group during the French Revolution known for their role in the Reign of Terror, led by figures like Maximilien Robespierre.

Napoleonic Code

A legal code established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804 that laid the foundation for modern legal systems in many jurisdictions.

Luddites

A group of 19th-century English workers who destroyed machinery, believing it threatened their jobs and livelihoods during the Industrial Revolution.

Rerum Novarum

An encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891 addressing the rights and conditions of workers, marking a significant moment in Catholic social teaching.

Realpolitik

A political philosophy associated with Otto von Bismarck that emphasizes practical and pragmatic approaches over ideology in statecraft.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham, suggesting that the best actions are those that maximize utility, often defined as overall happiness.

Romanticism

An artistic and intellectual movement originating in late 18th-century Europe emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism.