history 4.2-4.6

Enlightenment

Movement of thinkers striving to rid the world of dark ideas such as ignorance, irrationality, intolerance, and inequality.

Rational optimism

The belief that rational thinking and ideas could bring about progress for mankind.

Basic human rights

Rights that every person has and that must be respected, even by kings.

Trias Politica

The idea that the power of the state should be divided into three different parts.

Free market economy

An economic system with little or no government interference, allowing competition between sellers.

Salon

Meetings where members of the upper class gathered to listen to scientists and philosophers.

Encyclopédie

A collection of knowledge on a wide range of subjects.

The estates system

A social system divided into three estates: clergy, nobility, and the rest.

Social mobility

The ability to move up or down in society from one estate to another.

Enlightened absolutism

Form of absolutism where the ruler acts in the best interest of the people.

American Revolution

The struggle for independence by British colonists in America.

Thirteen colonies

British colonies along the east coast of North America.

Militias

Civilian armies established to defend against Native Americans and other colonists.

Patriots

Colonists who opposed the taxation acts using direct action.

The Boston Tea Party

Protest against taxation acts where tea was dumped into the harbor.

Continental Congress

A convention of delegates from all the Thirteen Colonies.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the Thirteen Colonies independent.

United States of America

Country consisting of the former American British colonies.

Federation

Country consisting of states, each with their own government ruled by a federal government.

The Constitution

The supreme law describing the relationship between citizens and government.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlining individual rights and limiting government power.

Slavery

A system where people can own, buy, and sell others as property.

African slave trade

Slave trade conducted within the African continent.

Plantation farming

The growing of crops requiring manual labor on large plantations using slaves.

Dehumanising

Treating people as less than human, like animals or goods.

Transatlantic slave trade

European traders bought slaves in West Africa and sold them to plantation owners in America.

Triangular trade

A form of trade where ships never travel empty among three places.

Abolitionism

A movement questioning slavery and attempting to end it.

Russian Enlightenment

Period of reforms in Russia based on Enlightenment ideas.

Tsar

Title of the emperor of Russia.

Tsardom of Russia

Collection of Russian states ruled by the tsar.