AP World History Unit 5 Key Terms

Scientific Revolution

16th–17th century shift to science based on observation, experimentation, and math; challenged Church authority

Copernicus, Galileo

Supported heliocentrism using math and observation; challenged geocentric and Church views

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement using reason to reform government, society, and human rights

John Locke

Natural rights (life, liberty, property); government by consent; right to rebel

Natural Rights

Rights people are born with that governments must protect

Social Contract

Agreement where people give power to government for order and protection

Voltaire

Advocated free speech and religious tolerance; criticized absolutism

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Believed sovereignty belongs to the people; promoted “general will”

Mary Wollstonecraft

Early feminist arguing women deserve equal education and rights

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

Book arguing for women’s equality and education

Montesquieu

Separation of powers to prevent tyranny

Beccaria

Opposed torture and death penalty; supported fair and rational laws

Popular Sovereignty

Government authority comes from the people

American Revolution

Colonial independence from Britain inspired by Enlightenment ideas

French Revolution

Overthrew monarchy; promoted liberty and equality; became violent

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Stated natural rights, legal equality, and popular sovereignty for men

Olympe de Gouges – Declaration of the Rights of Woman

Extended revolutionary rights to women; demanded equality

Robespierre

Radical leader of the Reign of Terror; used executions to protect revolution

Napoleon Bonaparte

Military ruler who stabilized France and spread revolutionary ideas

Haitian Revolution

Successful slave revolt ending slavery and creating Haiti

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Former enslaved leader of the Haitian Revolution

Latin American Revolutions

Independence movements against Spanish and Portuguese rule

Hidalgo-Morelos Rebellion

Mexican independence movement led by priests supporting lower classes

Tupac Amaru

Indigenous rebel leader against Spanish colonial oppression

Simón Bolívar

Led independence movements across northern South America

Jamaica Letter

Bolívar’s essay explaining independence goals and struggles

Nationalism

Loyalty to shared culture, language, and identity; desire for self-rule

Proletariat / Bourgeoisie

Industrial working class vs. middle and owning capitalist class