Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution Key Concepts for History and Science

Geocentric theory

The earth centered theory of the universe

Scientific Revolution

Scientists replaced old assumptions with new theories

Heliocentric

The theory that the sun is the center of the solar system

Galileo Galilei

Built on new theories of astronomy

Scientific method

A logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas

Isaac Newton

Helped to put Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo's theories together into a single theory of motion

Enlightenment

A new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems

Social contract

The agreement by which people created a government

John Locke

Believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves. Believed that humans had natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Government should protect these.

Philosophes

The social critics of the Enlightenment in France

Voltaire

He published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, and drama. Fierce defender of freedom of thought, speech, and religion.

Montesquieu

Devoted himself to the study of political liberty; found that one person ruling leads to tyranny. Proposed separation of power

Rousseau

Passionately committed to individual freedom. Believed people are naturally good but corrupted by society and civilization. Governments should listen to the people.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Argued that women should be equal to men

Rene Descartes

Cogito ergo sum - I think therefore I am

Salons

Large social gatherings where philosophers, writers, artists, scientists, and other great intellectuals met to discuss ideas

Neoclassical

New classical; the art style of the late 1700s

Enlightened despots

Absolute monarchs who followed the Enlightenment

Baroque

Grand ornate design; European art of the 1600s and early 1700s

Catherine the Great

Ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796; more admired by the philosophes

Declaration of Independence

Based on the ideas of John Locke and the Enlightenment; natural rights

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote the Declaration of Independence and used ideas from the Enlightenment

Thomas Hobbes

Expressed his views in a work called Leviathan (1651). Supported absolute monarchy, wanted people to give up freedom for protection, thinks humans are selfish and need a strong ruler

Checks and balances

Each branch checks the actions of the other two

Federal system

In which power was divided between the national and state governments

Bill of Rights

Protected such basic rights as freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion