The European Enlightenment Notebook #27 AP World History Modern

epistemology

the theory of knowledge, thinkers' increasingly application to Reason and rationality to human institutions rather than just physical sciences

Reason

clear and ordered thinking

rationality

logic and reasoning

John Locke

English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights in the 1600s

Natural rights

the idea that all humans are born with the rights to life, liberty, and property—all of which should be protected by the state

Consent of the governed

the idea that if the state ever takes or fails to defend natural rights, the people are obligated to reform the state

constitutionalism

the limiting of state powers by a set of documents written and agreed upon by citizens

baron de Montesquieu

A Frenchman who argued that in order to prevent the state from oppressing these rights, state powers should be separated into independent branches

separation of powers

a doctrine designed to prevent any one ruler or group from exercising absolute tyranny

Spirit of Laws

a doctrine laid out by baron de Montesquieu asserting that there were three primary powers exercised by the state: making, enforcing, & interpreting laws

legislative branch

the branch of government meant to be the law maker

executive branch

the branch of government meant to be the law enforcer

judicial branch

the branch of government meant to be the law interpreter—i.e., assesses validity of laws and individual guilt

philosophes

Other Enlightenment thinkers who questioned the role of religion and the state-most notably in Catholic France

Voltaire

one of the most famous philosophes of the Enlightenment, and was known for his stance against state religion, arguing instead religion should be a protected private practice

protected private practice

the idea of practicing religion and other things that you want, privately, argued for by Voltaire

Rousseau

a philosophe who advocated social contract ideals through the general will

general will

the 'collective will' of the people who Rosseau believed should operate as the ultimate entity and authority of the state

American Revolution

(1776-1783) A conflict in which colonists challenged the authority of the British monarch and started a constitutional republic that protects individual rights

French Revolution

(1789-1799) A conflict in which the French people overthrew the oppressive monarchy, nobility, and clergy and gave law-making power to the people

Latin-American Revolutions

(19th century) A conflict in which creole leaders overthrew imperial governments and established national borders and identities in Latin America