WHAP Unit 5

Enlightenment Ideas and Figures:

1. Nicolaus Copernicus: Proposed the heliocentric theory, which stated that the Sun, not the Earth, is at the center of the universe. This idea challenged the geocentric model supported by the Catholic Church.

2. John Locke: Known for his ideas about natural rights (life, liberty, property) and the social contract. Locke believed that the government’s power should come from the consent of the governed and that people have the right to overthrow a government that violates their rights.

3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Emphasized the idea of the general will in government and social contract theory, arguing that individuals should give up some personal freedoms for the common good of society.

4. Voltaire: A strong advocate for freedom of speech, religion, and civil rights. He criticized the Church and absolute monarchy, promoting the values of reason and tolerance.

5. Mary Wollstonecraft: Early feminist who argued for equal education for women in her work "A Vindication of the Rights of Women."

Industrial Revolution and Key Figures:

1. Bessemer Process: A method developed by Henry Bessemer for mass-producing steel, which played a major role in the industrialization of construction and manufacturing.

2. James Watt: Improved the steam engine, which became a key driver of the Industrial Revolution, powering factories, ships, and trains.

3. Eli Whitney: Invented the cotton gin, revolutionizing the cotton industry. He also popularized interchangeable parts, making mass production more efficient.

4. Karl Marx: Co-authored "The Communist Manifesto" with Friedrich Engels, advocating for socialism and communism. Marx believed that capitalism would eventually be replaced by a classless society, where workers control the means of production.

5. Enclosure Movement: The practice of consolidating small farms into larger ones, which pushed rural workers into cities and contributed to urbanization during the Industrial Revolution.

6. Social Darwinism: A misapplication of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to society, used to justify social inequalities and imperialism by claiming that "strong" societies or individuals naturally dominate the "weaker" ones.

Important Concepts:

1. Industrialization: The shift from manual labor to machine-based production, leading to major economic, social, and technological changes, particularly in Britain.

2. Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership of businesses, with minimal government intervention, where wealth is generated through the pursuit of individual profit.

3. Socialism: Advocates for a more equal distribution of wealth and government intervention in the economy to reduce inequality and provide social services.

4. Laissez-Faire Economics: An economic philosophy advocating for minimal government interference in the market, championed by Adam Smith, who argued that the market should regulate itself through the "invisible hand."

Key Events and Movements:

1. Haitian Revolution (1791-1804): The first successful slave revolt led by Toussaint Louverture, which resulted in the independence of Haiti and the establishment of the first black republic.

2. French Revolution (1789-1799): Led to the rise of radical political changes in France, including the execution of King Louis XVI, the Reign of Terror under Maximilien Robespierre, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

3. Napoleonic Code: Introduced by Napoleon to provide a uniform legal system across France, which had a lasting impact on legal codes in many other nations.

4. Meiji Restoration (1868): A period in Japan when the government adopted Western technologies and industrial practices, ending the feudal system and modernizing the country.

5. Nationalism: The growing desire for independent nation-states based on shared cultural identity. This played a significant role in movements like the unification of Germany and Italy.

Reviewing Key Terms:

• Luddites: Workers who protested against industrialization by destroying machines, fearing the loss of jobs.

• Urbanization: The movement of people from rural areas to cities due to industrial job opportunities.

• Realism: An artistic movement in the 19th century, depicting the struggles and realities of industrial society, as seen in the works of Charles Dickens.

• Deism: The belief that God created the world but does not intervene in its workings, a view that became more common during the Enlightenment.