World History Unit 1

Enlightenment + Comparative Revolutions

What was the scientific revolution?

A new way of thinking in the mid 1500s that challenged much of what ancient philosophers claimed about the world.

hat was the scientific method developed for?

To test important questions and compare conclusions.

WHo promoted the heliocentric theory, and what did it challenge?

Copernicus; it challenged aristotle and the christian clergy by showing that planets revolve around the sun, not the earth.

How didkepler contribute to the scientific revolution?

he built on copernicus’s ideas and provided mathematical proof of the heliocentric theory.

What were Galileo’s main contributions to the scientific revolution?

He built a telescope that saw the four moons of jupiter and imperfections of the moon. Directly challenged aristotle’s teachings.

What happened to Galileo in 1633?

He was forced by the catholic church gto “confess” that he lied about everything.

What was the enlightenment?

AN intellectual movement in the 17th-18th centuries where philosophers used logic and reason to understand and improve the world.

What did political philosophers believe in?

Natural law,a universal moral law that could be understood by applying reason.

How did philosophers try to solve social problems?

They believed people could use reason to fix social issues.

How did the enlightenment ideas spread?

Salons. a gathering where artists and thinkers shared ideas.

Diderot’s Encyclopedia: a collection of essays from philosophers.

How did governments and the church respond to the enlightenment ideas?

They began banning essays and censoring ideas.

Who was thomas Hobbles and what did he believe in?

-Wrote the leviathan in 1651 after witnessing the english civil war.

• Believed humans are naturally selfish and wicked.

• people must give up rights to a strong leader (absolute monarchy) to escape selfishness.

Who was John Locke and what did he belieave?

-Believed humans are reasonable and can learn from their mistakes.

• All people are born free and equal

• everyone has natural rights; life, liberty, and property.

• government must protect these rights; if it fails, people can overthrow it

What did enlightenment thinkers fight for?

Tolerance, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.

WHat famous quote is associated with freedom of speech?

“I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Who was Montesquieu and what did he believe in?

-French philosopher who believed britain had the best government.

• proposed separation of power: legislative (parliament), executive(king), and judicial (courts).

• separation of powers prevents any one person from having total control.

Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau and what did he believe?

Disagreed with most other philosophers.

• People are naturally good but society corrupts them.

• The only legitimate government is a direct democracy based on a social contract.

Who was Cesare Beccaria and what did he believe?

Believed punishments should be based on reason, not cruelty.

• Advocated for fair justice and against torture.

Who was Mary Wollstonecraft and what did she believe?

Women should be able to receive education and make decisions without husband consent.

• Advocated for gender equality.

How did Enlightenment ideas inspire revolutions?

Influenced the French Revolution and American Revolution.

• Challenged the divine right of kings, Church authority, and unequal social classes.

What are the 3 long-term effects of the Enlightenment?

1. Belief in progress: Humans can solve social problems using science (biology, physics, chemistry, mechanics).

2. Non-religious outlook on society: Universe can be explained through math and scientific processes.

3. Importance of the individual: People focus on promoting their own welfare instead of blindly following the Church or God.

What is absolutism?

system where monarchs take power based on divine right, believing all power comes from God.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

A peaceful transition of power in England that limited the monarchy and established a constitutional monarchy.

What did the English Bill of Rights (1689) do?

- Granted basic civil liberties to English citizens.

• Increased the power of Parliament over the monarchy.

Causes of the American Revolution (1765–1783)?

- Colonies had independent legislatures with limited interference from Britain.

• Political repression: Stamp Act taxed printed materials, Boston Massacre: British troops fired on colonists.

• Continental Congress: First called for repeal of unfair laws, Second issued Declaration of Independence.

How did France help during the American Revolution?

Provided military support, money, and supplies, helping colonists gain independence.

How did Enlightenment ideas influence the American Revolution?

Inspired freedom, reason, and individual rights, influencing the Declaration of Independence.

Estates System in France before the Revolution?

First Estate: clergy (paid no taxes)

• Second Estate: nobility (wealthy, paid few taxes)

• Third Estate: peasants and bourgeoisie (paid all taxes, always outvoted)

Causes of the French Revolution (1789–1799)?

Social inequality, unfair taxation, political corruption, and King’s refusal to approve reforms.

French Legislative structure?

Estates-General: each estate got one vote → Third Estate always outvoted.

Outcomes of the French Revolution?

Rebellion against King and traditions

• Created a new social order

• Political instability and multiple failed constitutions

Social divisions in Saint-Domingue (Haiti) before the revolution?

- Grands blancs: white plantation owners

• Petits blancs: working-class whites

• Free people of color: wealthy plantation owners, less rights

• Enslaved Africans: ~90% of population

Causes of the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804)?

Inspired by French Revolution ideas

• Social inequality and brutal slavery system

Role of Toussaint L’Ouverture?

Led enslaved Africans in revolt

• Disrupted colonial system

• Helped Haiti gain independence

Key events in Haitian Revolution?

Feb 1794: French abolished slavery

• 1802: Napoleon reinstated slavery → revolt continued

• Haiti became first successful slave revolt

Differences between American and French Revolutions?

American: rebellion against Britain, stable government, lasting constitution

• French: rebellion against King and traditions, new social order, instability, multiple failed constitutions

Similarities between American and French Revolutions?

Both established representative governments

• Both protected rights of the people

• Both emphasized popular sovereignty

Influence of Enlightenment on all three revolutions?

Emphasis on reason, individual rights, challenging authority, and social reform