Global History: Revolutions, Empires, and the Enlightenment

Vocabulary flashcards covering early modern Asian and European political systems, Enlightenment thinkers, key figures and events of the French Revolution, and Latin American independence movements.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Feudal government in Japan ruled by a Shogun (military leader); it was isolated and did not want to trade.

Mughal Empire

Muslim Empire ruling India (where the majority of the population was Hindu); an increase in religious conflict weakened the empire.

Monarchy

A form of government ruled by a king or queen who possesses absolute rule over the country, where the people have no say.

Divine Right

The belief that monarchs are chosen by God to rule, used to justify their absolute rule.

Enlightenment

A movement that questioned monarchs and government, leading to increased democracy and increased rights for people.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who argued that people have natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that government should be a democracy.

Montesquieu

Enlightenment thinker who argued there should be 3 branches of government to divide power.

Louis XVI

King in France during the French Revolution who did not take care of the needs of the people and was executed by guillotine during the revolution.

First Estate

The Clergy (Catholic leaders) within the French Estate System.

Second Estate

The Nobles (wealthy landowners) within the French Estate System.

Third Estate

The social group made up of peasants and middle class workers who paid all of the country's taxes in the French Estate System.

Declaration of Rights of Man

A document from the French Revolution stating that men have natural rights and that France should be a Republic (getting rid of the king).

Bastille

A French prison that was stormed by revolutionaries, signaling the beginning of the French Revolution.

National Assembly

The new democratic government of France formed during the French Revolution.

Robespierre

Leader of the Jacobins during the French Revolution who led the Reign of Terror.

Jacobins

Radicals of the French Revolution who brought in the Reign of Terror and were led by Robespierre.

Napoleon

Leader who brought stability back to France after the Reign of Terror, made himself Emperor, and lost his army in Russia.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution against France who believed in Enlightenment ideas.

Simon Bolivar

Leader of the Latin American Revolution against Spain who believed in Enlightenment ideas.