Honors History

Scientific Revolution —

Time when people used observation, experiments, and science instead of religion to explain the world

Heliocentrism —

Sun-centered solar system

Geocentrism —

Earth-centered solar system

Nicolas Copernicus —

Scientist who created the heliocentric theory

Galileo Galilei —

Italian scientist who used the telescope for discovery

Sir Francis Bacon —

Scientist who developed the scientific method

Isaac Newton —

Scientist who created laws of motion and gravity

Enlightenment —

Movement where people used reason to question government and challenge absolute monarchy

John Locke —

Believed in natural rights (life, liberty, property) and overthrowing bad governments

Montesquieu —

Believed in separation of powers and checks and balances

Voltaire —

Supported freedom of speech and religion

Rousseau —

Believed government should follow the will of the people

Social Contract —

Agreement where people give up some freedom for protection

Popular Sovereignty —

Power comes from the people

Tabula Rasa —

Idea that people are born with a blank slate

Mary Wollstonecraft —

Believed women should have equal education

Skepticism —

Questioning ideas and beliefs

Absolutism —

Government where one ruler has all the power

Absolute Monarchs —

Rulers like Louis XIV and Peter the Great who had total control over their countries

Divine Right —

Idea that rulers get their power from God

Louis XIV —

Absolute monarch known as the Sun King

Peter the Great —

Russian ruler who westernized Russia

Louis XVI —

King of France during the revolution, executed

Maximilien Robespierre —

Leader of the Reign of Terror

Reign of Terror —

Period where thousands were executed during the French Revolution

Enlightenment vs Absolutism —

Enlightenment ideas made people question kings and led to revolutions

Unfair Tax Systems —

Cause of both the American and French Revolutions

English Civil War —

Conflict that reduced the power of the king

Glorious Revolution —

Peaceful revolution that created a constitutional monarchy

English Bill of Rights —

Document that limited the king's power and protected citizens' rights

English Government Result —

Creation of a constitutional monarchy where the king shares power with Parliament

Constitutional Monarchy —

Government where the king shares power with a legislature

Estates General —

Meeting of the three social classes in France

Third Estate —

Largest social class with no political power

French Revolution —

Revolution caused by unfair taxes, hunger, weak leadership, and Enlightenment ideas

Storming of the Bastille —

Event that started the French Revolution

Execution of Louis XVI —

Event showing the end of monarchy power in France

Haitian Revolution —

Slave revolt that led to Haiti's independence

Toussaint Louverture —

Leader of the Haitian Revolution

First Successful Slave Revolt —

Outcome of the Haitian Revolution

Napoleon Bonaparte —

Military leader who became emperor of France

Napoleonic Code —

System of laws created by Napoleon

Napoleon's Rise —

Gained power during chaos after the French Revolution

Napoleon's Defeat —

Lost in Russia and was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo

Battle of Waterloo —

Final battle where Napoleon was defeated

Post-Napoleon France —

France returned to a monarchy

American Revolution —

Colonists fought Britain due to taxes and lack of representation

Mexican Revolution —

People rebelled against unfair government and land distribution under Porfirio Díaz

Porfirio Díaz —

Dictator of Mexico before the revolution

Simón Bolívar —

Leader who helped free South American countries (The Liberator)

South American Independence —

Countries gained freedom from Spanish rule with Bolívar's help