History test #2 the enlightenment

What did European thinkers believe

Nothing was impossible for humanity

Natural laws

Laws that govern human nature 

Thomas Hobbs and John Locke 

Established a philosophy of human nature and the purpose of government 

Thomas Hobbles 

Wrote leviathan argues that people are naturally greedy and selfish. He believed an absolute monarchy was the solution for humanity.

In order to escape anarchy people enter into what?

A social contract 

Social contract 

An agreement in which they give up the state of nature for an organized society 

John Locke

He believed that people were basically mortal (good). Believed in limited government and supported parliament

Natural rights

Human beings possess life, property, and liberty (given at birth)

Motnesquieu

Published the spirit of laws and states that the British saved themselves from tyranny by establishing a limited monarchy. Established the idea of checks and balances 

Branches of the government

Legislative, judicial and executive

Philosophes

French thinkers who believed that by applying scientific principles to government, society could be improved

Francois Marie Arouet (Voltaire)

Wrote about the abuses of the 1700s and was exiled for it by the church 

Denis Diderot 

Wrote encyclopedia, a collection of philosophies and articles written by thinkers of his time

Jean Jacques Rousseau

He believed that humanity was good, but was corrupted by society. He wanted society to be formed with the common good in mind. He went against other thinkers who believed that the individual should come first 

Physiocrats

Philosophers who focused on economic reform. They rejected mercantilism, which required government regulations on trade

Laissez faire government

Allows businesses to operate with little to no government regulations

Adam smith

Wrote the wealth of nations in which he argued for a free market 

Free market 

A market which is regulated by the natural forces of supply and demand

How did the government attempt to to contain the enlightenment

Through book burnings and persecutions

Salons

Informal social gatherings of which writers philosophers and others exchanged ideas

Fredrick the great

King of Prussia, an absolute ruler who used their power to bring about political and social change. Admired Voltaire and asked him to build an academy of science in Berlin 

Catherine the great

Empress of Russia, grated nobles a charter of rights and spoke out against serfdom. She gave up no real power

Joseph ll

Hapsburg emperor. Traveled in disguise amount his population to discover what their problems were. He gave power to middle class officials as opposed to nobles, granted religious tolerance sold church land and build hospitals with the money 

Baroque paintings

Huge colorful paintings grand in scale. Very big and huge. Bright colors were used.

Rococo art 

Elegant and refined paintings 

Mozart

Composed a huge variety of music and died at the age of 35 in poverty

Mary Wollstonecraft

Wrote a book about the rights of women. Controversial book. She made enemies because women didn’t agree with what she was saying

Daniel defoe

highly prolific and versatile English writer, merchant, and spy, widely regarded as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel. Known for his realistic prose and insightful commentary on 17th and 18th-century English society, his most famous works include Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders. 

Geography in Britain

Britain was in a good position of trade. Many parts in England, they used these parts to esblashish colonies, the colonies prospered and an empire developed

Britain’s success at war

Great Britain defeated France in several major conflicts, gained all their land and trade. They build a strong Navy because they had too

Britain’s business

Although they engaged in mercantilism, they were less restrictive than many European countries 

The act of union

United England and Scotland, this improves internal trade

Constitutional government

A government whose power is defined and limited by the law

Political parties

Torres and whigs

Tories (wealthy nobles) 

We’re conservative (the old order) people that beloved in the old order don’t like/want change (nobles) 

Whigs

We’re liberal. Want change middle class and wealthy urban business leaders

King George l

He was a German heir to the thrown who took control of England in 1714. He spoke no English as a result leaders in parliament were selected to help him rule they set policies. 

Prime minister

Leader of majority party in parliament

Robert walpole

First prime minister

Oligarchy

A government which is run by a few powerful people

George lll

Wanted to reassert royal power and end whig domination. He chose his own ministers and dissolve the cabinet system. He enforced harsh tax laws which eventually triggered the American revolution 

George Washington

He knew the British had more experienced soldiers and that his army lacked weapons and experience. But he had confidence that the colinsl army could win if he inspired the troops to have pride, loyalty and discipline 

Benjamin Franklin

He was a man of many talents. He was born in 1706. He was an author inventor and statesman who helped persuade France to enter the revolutionary war on the side of the Americans.

Thomas Jefferson

He’s mostly known as the primary author of the declaration of independence. He also served as a minister to France and later as the third president of the United States.

Thomas Paine 

was an English-American political activist, philosopher, and revolutionary. As one of the most influential writers of the 18th century, his powerful pamphlets inspired rebels to declare independence during the American Revolution his vision for human rights and democracy also influenced revolutionary movements in France and Great Britain

Free enterprise system

an economic system, also known as capitalism, which is where a private business are able to compete with each other with little control by the government product prices and services are driven by fee market laws of supply and demand rather than government regulations

Censorship 

restriction on access to ideas and information.

Enlightenment despot 

absolute ruler who used hazel her power to bring about political and social change.

Stamp act

this was a law passed in 1765 by the British parliament that impose taxes on items such as newspapers and pamphlets.

Popular sovereignty 

To control all political power 

Where did the British army surrender in the American revolution 

Yorktown Virginia 

Treaty of Paris 

Ended the seven year war and this resulted in British dominance of the Americans.

James Madison 

He was the fourth president of the United States and is often called the father of the constitution. He played a major role at the constitutional convention of 1789 which framed the federal constitution

Federal rasbuplic 

Where power is divided in the government between the national or federal government