18th Century Novel, Enlightenment, and American Revolution Key Concepts

The Modern Novel

A long fictional story (at least 40,000 words) written in prose text that emerged in the 18th century.

Characteristics of the 18th-Century Novel

Focused on realism (ordinary individuals/real-world challenges) and emphasized the use of reason/logical behavior to solve problems.

First modern novel date

1719

Robinson Crusoe

Novel written by Daniel Defoe.

Candide

Novel written by Voltaire.

Strict Censorship

Government control over writing, heavily practiced in France under the absolutism rule of Louis XIV.

Satire

A literary method used by authors and philosophers (like Voltaire) to disguise their criticisms of society and government.

Salons

Social gatherings hosted in Paris where philosophers, writers, and artists met to discuss popular ideas.

Salonnières

The wealthy women who hosted Parisian salons.

Encyclopédie (1751-1772)

A massive compilation of knowledge edited by Denis Diderot.

Goal of the Encyclopédie

"To change the way people think".

Neoclassical Art & Architecture

An art style inspired by ancient Greece and Rome that emphasized rationality, balance, straight lines, and heroism.

The Death of Socrates

A famous Neoclassical painting by Jacques Louis David in 1787.

Classical Music Composers

Mozart (1756-1791) and Beethoven (1770-1827).

Despot

A cruel, all-controlling ruler who holds absolute power (also called autocrats, tyrants, or dictators).

Enlightened Despots

Monarchs in the 1700s who began discussing and embracing Enlightenment ideas (also known as Enlightened Absolutists).

John Locke's view on Rebellion

Stated that rebellion is lawful when the government fails to protect the natural rights of its people.

John Locke's quote on Revolution

"Revolution is not a right, it is a duty."

Mercantilism

The economic idea that colonies exist solely to generate wealth for the mother country.

King George III

British King from 1760-1820.

Constitutional Monarch

A ruler who shares power with an elected government body; King George III shared power with a Parliament elected by British citizens.

Did American colonists get to vote for Parliament?

No.

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

A war between Britain and France for control of the fertile Ohio River Valley. It ended in a British victory but left Britain with massive war debt.

Sugar Act (1764) & Stamp Act (1765)

Taxes passed by Parliament to pay off British war debt, which made the colonists angry because of "Taxation without representation".

Boston Massacre

March 5, 1770

Boston Tea Party

December 16, 1773

April 19, 1775

The date the fighting officially began at Lexington and Concord.

Patriots vs. Loyalists split

The colonial population was split evenly into thirds: 1/3 Patriots, 1/3 Loyalists, and 1/3 Neutral.

Declaration of Independence

Document signed on July 4, 1776 to formally declare the colonies' separation from Britain.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The peace agreement where Great Britain formally recognized the U.S.A. as an independent nation.

3 Branches of U.S. Government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.