AP Euro P2 - The Enlightenment + French Revolution Important Terms

Enlightenment

Advocating for the application of the scientific method to understand all life.

Skepticism

Educated people questioning religious truths and values.

Relation to Cultural Relativism.

Pierre Bayle

Argued religion as a personal matter, determining actions based on personal conscience, and for complete religious toleration.

Bernard De Fontanelle (Plurality of Worlds)

Placed science into literature to create more accessible understanding among literate elites.

Travel Literature

Illuminated the existence of other developed civilizations with different customs/cultures than Europe.

Led to Cultural Relativism.

Cultural Relativism

European intellectuals began evaluating civilizations with relevant cultural context.

Stimulated skepticism.

Charles Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws)

Study of effective levels of governments, stating that separation of power (constitutional monarchy) provides the most freedom and security in larger states.

Inspired founding fathers.

Voltaire

Praised English ways (e.g. freedom of press, religious toleration).

Criticized traditional religion.

Known for satirical works.

Denis Diderot

Encyclopedia / Classified Dictionary of Sciences, Arts, and Trades - a compilation of scientific truths about the world.

Against Christianity.

Material view of the world (mass of molecules).

Rosseau

The Social Contract - the idea of governing by the “general will”

Preached for traditional roles of women.

Jacobins

More violent, radical revolutionary club; believed in a sovereign republic.

The Peace of Utrecht (1713)

Mary Wollenstonecraft

Vindication of the Rights of Women - compared roles of women-men with roles of slave-master and arguing innate reason in all people including women; female equality.