Key Events and Figures in English and French Revolutions & Enlightenment

What was the significance of the Petition of Right?

The Petition of Right (1628) was a constitutional document that limited the powers of the king and asserted the rights of Parliament, establishing a precedent for constitutional monarchy in England.

Who was Charles I and why is he significant?

Charles I was the king of England from 1625 to 1649, known for his conflicts with Parliament and his eventual execution, which marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for parliamentary sovereignty.

What role did Oliver Cromwell play in English history?

Oliver Cromwell was a military and political leader who led the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War and later ruled as Lord Protector, significantly influencing the development of republicanism in England.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

The Glorious Revolution (1688) was the overthrow of King James II of England, leading to the establishment of William and Mary as co-monarchs and the affirmation of parliamentary sovereignty.

What is popular sovereignty?

Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, often expressed through elected representatives.

What was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority, significantly influencing modern political thought.

Who were the Philosophes?

The Philosophes were Enlightenment thinkers who advocated for reason, scientific inquiry, and human rights, and they played a crucial role in shaping modern Western philosophy and political theory.

What contributions did Isaac Newton make to the Scientific Revolution?

Isaac Newton made groundbreaking contributions to physics and mathematics, including the laws of motion and universal gravitation, which laid the foundation for classical mechanics.

1. A body in motion remains in motion or a body at rest remains at rest, unless acted upon by a force.

2. Force equals mass times acceleration: Or, the rate of change of a body’s momentum equals the force acting upon it.

3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

What was the significance of the Scientific Revolution?

The Scientific Revolution (16th to 18th centuries) marked a major shift in scientific thought, emphasizing observation and experimentation, which challenged traditional views and laid the groundwork for modern science.

What was the role of the Committee of Public Safety during the French Revolution?

The Committee of Public Safety was established in 1793 to protect the revolution from internal and external threats, leading to the Reign of Terror, where thousands were executed.

What were the Estates General?

The Estates General was a legislative assembly in France representing the three estates of the realm: the clergy, the nobility, and the common people, which played a key role in the lead-up to the French Revolution.

Who was Maximilien Robespierre?

Maximilien Robespierre (Radical Jacobin) was a leading figure in the French Revolution and a key architect of the Reign of Terror, advocating for radical changes and the establishment of a republic.

What was the significance of the Congress of Vienna?

The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) aimed to restore order in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars, establishing a balance of power and redrawing national boundaries.

What was the Thermidorian Reaction?

The Thermidorian Reaction (July 1794) was a coup that led to the fall of Robespierre and marked the end of the Reign of Terror, resulting in a more moderate phase of the French Revolution.

What is the difference between constitutionalism and absolutism?

Constitutionalism is a political system where government powers are limited by law, while absolutism is a system where a single ruler holds absolute power without legal limitations.

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte and what was his impact on Europe?

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution, becoming Emperor and spreading revolutionary ideals across Europe, significantly altering the continent's political landscape.

What was the significance of the Book of Common Prayer?

The Book of Common Prayer is a key text in the Anglican Church, establishing a standard for worship and reflecting the religious changes during the English Reformation.

What were the key causes of the French Revolution?

Key causes of the French Revolution included social inequality, financial crisis, Enlightenment ideas, and the influence of the American Revolution, leading to widespread discontent with the monarchy.

What were the critical events after 1789 in the French Revolution?

Critical events after 1789 included the establishment of the National Assembly, the storming of the Bastille, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and the rise of radical factions.

Johannes Gutenberg

Inventor of the printing press, which revolutionized the spread of knowledge and literature in Europe.

Galileo Galilei 

Italian astronomer and physicist known for his contributions to the scientific method and telescope improvements. He supported heliocentrism and faced opposition from the Catholic Church.

Francis Bacon

English philosopher and scientist, known as the father of empiricism. He advocated for the scientific method and empirical research, influencing modern scientific practices.

Rene Descartes

Voltaire

Galileo Galilei