The Enlightenment

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the Enlightenment and its impact on social, political, and historical developments.

Enlightenment

A philosophical movement of the 18th century emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights that every individual possesses, often associated with John Locke, including the right to life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

A theory that posits governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed.

Secularism

The principle of separation of religion from political, social, and educational institutions.

Revolution

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system, often inspired by Enlightenment ideas.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, promoting national unity and independence.

Women's Suffrage

The right of women to vote in elections, a key focus of feminist movements inspired by Enlightenment ideals.

Feminism

The advocacy of women's rights on the basis of equality of the sexes.

Abolitionism

A movement to end the practice of slavery and the slave trade.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge is gained through experience and observation.