World History - Enlightened Despots

Humanism

Renaissance focus on human potential and achievements

Geocentric theory

Idea that the Earth is the center of the universe, with heavenly bodies moving in perfect spheres around it, Based by Aristotle

Scientific Revolution

Significant development of science, leading people to turn away from Christianity and embrace scientific inquiry

Heliocentric theory

Idea that the sun is the center of the universe, proposed by Nicholas Copernicus

Empiricism

Method of drawing conclusions from experimental data, Proposed by Francis Bacon

Rationalism

Reliance on reason and logic rather than experimentation, as advocated by René Descartes

Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion

Three laws describing the motion of objects, leading to the law of universal gravitation -

Scientific Method

Logical procedure for formulating and testing hypotheses, involving observation, experimentation, and drawing conclusions

Enlightenment

Period of intellectual and philosophical growth, also known as the Age of Reason or the Neo-Classical Era

Enlightened despot

Ruler who embraces Enlightenment ideas in governance

Frederick the Great

Ruler of Prussia, known for improving education and abolishing torture

Catherine the Great

Ruler of Russia, emphasized education and patronized the arts

Joseph II

Ruler of Austria, known for separating religion from education and abolishing serfdom

Philosophers of the Enlightenment

Influential thinkers advocating ideas such as social contract, natural rights, freedom of thought, and democracy

Stamp Act

English tax on printed materials in the American colonies, leading to widespread resentment

Battle of Lexington and Concord

First military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, marked by gunfire between British and colonists

Declaration of Independence

Document written by Thomas Jefferson, based on natural rights, Enlightenment ideals, and a declaration of independence from British rule

Republic

Form of government in which citizens rule through elected representatives

Articles of Confederation

First set of rules for the new country, failed due to weak central authority, inability to collect taxes, and lack of executive and judicial branches

Federal System

Power divided between state and national governments

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments in the Constitution, protecting basic human rights

Thomas Hobbes

Idea - Social Contract, people give uo their rights to a strong leader for exchange for law and order

John Locke

Natural Rights - Life, Liberty, Property