What is the Enlightenment Era?
A cultural and intellectual movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.
Who is considered the father of modern philosophy?
René Descartes, known for his statement 'Cogito, ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am).
What was John Locke's main contribution to political theory?
He introduced the idea of the social contract and the natural rights of life, liberty, and property.
What is the significance of Montesquieu's work 'The Spirit of the Laws'?
It proposed the separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny.
Who wrote 'The Social Contract' and what is its central idea?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote it, arguing that government should be based on the general will of the populace.
What did Voltaire advocate for during the Enlightenment?
He championed freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and separation of church and state.
What was the role of the salons in the Enlightenment?
Salons were social gatherings where intellectuals discussed ideas, fostering cultural exchange and the spread of Enlightenment thought.
Who were the philosophes?
A group of French Enlightenment thinkers who promoted ideas of reason, science, and progress.
What is the impact of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution?
Enlightenment ideas inspired the quest for independence and the framing of democratic principles in the U.S. Constitution.
How did the Enlightenment influence the French Revolution?
It provided ideological foundations for questioning authority, advocating liberty, and promoting equality among citizens.