Midterm Prep 2

Key Vocabulary Extraction

• Age of Enlightenment: A historical period beginning in the mid-1600s characterized by intellectual and philosophical advancements, emphasizing reason and scientific thought.

• Deism: A philosophical belief that posits a creator who designed the universe but does not intervene in its functioning, allowing humanity to progress independently.

• Philosophes: Enlightenment thinkers who challenged traditional beliefs about science, religion, government, and society.

• Leviathan: A seminal work by Thomas Hobbes likening government to a beast that requires regulation of human freedoms to ensure societal stability.

• Mercantilism: An economic theory stating that a country's wealth is finite and that trade must be conducted as a win/lose endeavor, impacting relationships between colonies and imperial powers.

• Social Contract: A foundational concept in political philosophy, exemplified by the Mayflower Compact, which outlines the relationships and agreements between individuals and governing bodies.

• Tabula Rasa: John Locke's theory that individuals are born without innate ideas and that knowledge is developed through experience and sensory experience.

Key Points Identification

The Age of Enlightenment

• The Age of Enlightenment was significant for the development of modern political science and philosophical thought.

• Philosophes integrated religious beliefs with scientific inquiry, notably through the lens of Deism.

Influential Philosophers

• Thomas Hobbes:

  • Authored "Leviathan," presenting government as necessary to subdue human nature for societal stability.

  • His work justified absolute monarchy; however, he faced criticism for not fully addressing the process behind his conclusions.

• John Locke:

  • Introduced the concept of Tabula Rasa, arguing that individuals are shaped by their environment and experiences.

  • Advocated for natural rights of life, liberty, and property, significantly influencing the American Revolution.

Economic Systems and Contracts

• Discussed the Mayflower Compact as the first social contract in America, foundational for colonial governance.

• Explained Mercantilism and its restrictive impact on colonial trade and interaction due to tariffs and taxes.

Impact of Revolutions

• The Agricultural Revolution set the stage for the Industrial Revolution by altering food production and population dynamics, leading to urbanization.

• The Steam Engine symbolized the Industrial Revolution, facilitating the transportation of goods and the rise of large corporations, which necessitated new management practices.

• Resulting economic ideologies included Socialism, Communism, and Capitalism, emerging from the societal changes brought on by industrialization.

Important Data Highlighting

• Leviathan (Hobbes): Governmentally depicted as a beast needing regulation – highlights the need for control over freedoms to maintain order.

• Tabula Rasa (Locke): Concept emphasizing that human minds start as a blank slate, shaped by experiences, underpinning notions of equality and rights.

• Mercantilism Statistics: Describes a win/lose trade system limiting prosperity and interaction of American colonies with other nations.

Additional Critical Aspects

Theorems and Principles

• Natural Rights: Locke’s assertion of inalienable rights (Life, Liberty, Property) fundamentally shaped modern democratic thought.

• Social Contract Theory: Stipulated obligations of citizens and governments, establishing foundational principles for many modern democracies.

Methodologies

• Examination of Enlightenment thought processes that encourage critical questioning and rational discourse.

• Analysis of the transition from agrarian societies to industrial economies highlighting changing familial and societal structures.