Chapter 19 and 20 Test

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Political theorist advocating absolute monarchy based on his concept of an anarchic state of nature. Believed people are born bad and that people act out of greed.

John Locke (1632-1704)

He believed in natural rights. He thought there needs to be a government but it can be overthrown if the people do not like the rulings of the leader.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Political theorist advocating absolute monarchy. He thought people were born bad and act out of greed.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

Beleived people are born good and that society is corrupted, causing people to act out bad.

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

French aristocrat who wanted to limit royal absolutism; Wrote The Spirit of Laws, urging that power be separated between executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each balancing out the others, thus preventing despotism and preserving freedom. This greatly influenced writers of the US Constitution. He greatly admired British form of government.

Voltaire (1694-1778)

Wanted freedom, fought against injustice, intolerance, etc. He fought for everyone to have freedom.

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)

British writer, philosopher and feminist. She argued that women are no less deserving of rights as men.

Louis XIV (1638-1715)

Known as the Sun King, he was an absolute monarch that completely controlled France. One of his greatest accomplishments was the building of the palace at Versailles. He had no religious tolerance.

Peter the Great (1672-1725)

He enthusiastically introduced Western languages and technologies to the Russian elite, moving the capital from Moscow to the new city of St. Petersburg. He was an absolute leader. He forced nobles to either work for him in the government or in the military.

Catherine the Great (1762-1796)

German enlightened despot that ruled Russia after the murder of her husband, Peter III.

Phillip II (1556 - 1598)

King of Spain, married to Queen Mary I of England;he was the most powerful monarch in Europe until 1588; controlled Spain, the Netherlands, the Spanish colonies in the New World, Portugal, Brazil, parts of Africa, parts of India, and the East Indies.

Frederick the Great (1712-1786)

King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. Enlightened despot who enlarged Prussia by gaining land from Austria when Maria Theresa became Empress.

Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

Queen of England and Ireland between 1558 and 1603. She was an absolute monarch and is considered to be one of the most successful rulers of all time.

James I (1603-1625)

Monarch who ignored constitutional principles and asserted the divine right of kings.

Spanish Armada

"Invincible" group of ships sent by King Philip II of Spain to invade England in 1588. This marked the beginning of English naval dominance and fall of Spanish dominance.

Cavaliers vs. Roundheads

When Charles I wanted funds for an army in Scotland and was declined, he invaded parliment with his supporters known as the Cavaliers who fought against the Parlimentary forces known as the Roundheads who won the battle.

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

English military, political, and religious figure who led the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War (1642-1649) and called for the execution of Charles I.

English Civil War (1642-1649)

A conflict over royal versus parliamentary rights, caused by King Charles I's arrest of his parliamentary critics and ended with his execution. Its outcome checked the growth of royal absolutism and, with the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the English Bill of Rights of 1689, ensured that England would become a constitutional monarchy.

Limited Constitutional Monarchy

Government led by a monarch whose powers were limited by laws.

Rationalism

A belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response

The Social Contract

An unspoken agreement between the ruler and the people who were in charge

Secularism

The idea that politics should not be interfered with by religion.

Religious Tolerance

The acceptance of different religious beliefs and customs

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property