Absolutism and Enlightenment Vocabulary

Flashcards based on lecture notes regarding political systems, key historical figures of the Enlightenment, and the Scientific Revolution.

Absolutism

A political system in which a single ruler or authority has absolute power and control over the government and its subjects.

Thomas Hobbes

An English philosopher known for his work on social contract theory and his book 'Leviathan,' where he argues for a strong central authority.

Philip II

King of Spain from 1556 to 1598, known for his role in the Spanish Armada and for being a proponent of Catholicism and absolutism.

Philosophe

Intellectuals of the Enlightenment who advocated for reason, science, and reform in society, often challenging traditional authority.

John Locke

An English philosopher who argued for natural rights and the social contract, influencing democratic thought and the development of liberalism.

Louis XIV

King of France from 1643 to 1715, known as the 'Sun King,' who exemplified absolute monarchy and centralized state power.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and government, where individuals consent to surrender some freedoms for protection of their rights.

Voltaire

A French Enlightenment writer and philosopher known for his advocacy of civil liberties, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state.

Peter the Great

Tsar of Russia from 1682 to 1725, known for modernizing Russia and expanding its territory, as well as for his efforts to westernize Russian society.

Separation of Powers

A governance model that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Montesquieu

A French political philosopher known for his theory of the separation of powers, which influenced modern democratic governance.

Galileo

An Italian astronomer and physicist who played a key role in the Scientific Revolution, known for his support of heliocentrism and the scientific method.

Divine Right

The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God and are not accountable to their subjects, often used to justify absolute monarchy.

Catherine the Great

Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796, known for her significant expansion of the Russian Empire and her patronage of the arts and education.

Isaac Newton

An English mathematician and physicist known for his laws of motion and universal gravitation, which laid the foundation for classical mechanics.

Emergence of Absolute Monarchs

They emerged through the consolidation of power, often justified by divine right, military strength, and the weakening of feudal structures.

Impact of the Scientific Revolution

It introduced empirical evidence and the scientific method, challenging traditional views based on religion and superstition.

Enlightenment Application of Reason

Thinkers promoted rational thought, individual rights, and reforms in governance, including ideas like democracy, capitalism, and secularism.