Thomas Hobbes
The English philosopher, who authored Leviathan, argued that people were naturally cruel and entered into a social contract. Believed life without laws or strict control would be "brutish" and required an absolute monarchy.
Social Contract
An agreement by which individuals give up their freedom for an organized society?
John Locke
The English philosopher, who authored Two Treatises of Government, argued that people were basically reasonable and had certain natural rights. Believed the best kind of government had limited power and was accepted by all citizens. If said government fai
Natural Rights
These are rights that belong to all humans from birth including life, liberty and property.
Montesquieu
The French philosopher who authored The Spirit of the Laws, believed the best way to protect liberty was to divide government into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Originated checks and balances, one branch checks the other two.
Rousseau
The French philosopher who authored The Social Contract, argued for the "general will" or the needs of the community should be placed above the needs of the individuals. A freely elected government, along with a non-regulated economy, could impose minimal
Laissez-faire
Literally means hands off, economic system that the government does not interfere in the economy, free trade, no tariffs.
Adam Smith
The Scottish economist, who authored The Wealth of Nations, argued a free market should regulate the economy. Supply and Demand, if there is a demand for a good the suppliers will meet the demand to gain profit.
Censorship
The restriction to the access of ideas and information. Banned and burned books, imprisoned writers.
Frederick the Great
King of Prussia, believed he was the "first servant of the state" initiated enlightenment ideas to increase government's efficiency. Reduced torture, instituted free press and religious tolerance.
Declaration of Independence
Signed on July 4, 1776, this document reflects John Locke's ideas of government's obligation to the people to protect their natural rights and the people's right to overthrow.
Popular Sovereignty
Concept that all governments' power comes from the people.
Bill of Rights
The 1st 10 amendments of the constitution. Recognized basic rights for all citizens including freedom of speech, religion and the press.
Treaty of Paris of 1783
This ended the American Revolution. Britain recognized the independence of the United States of America.
Federal Republic
The sharing of power between the national government and the states.
Bourgeoisie
This is the name for the middle class in France, included bankers, merchants, manufactures, lawyers, doctors and professors.
Urban
This means relating to, or characteristic of a city.
Deficit Spending
This is when a government spends more money than they are collecting.
Factions
These are dissenting groups that competed to gain power.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
This was modeled after the American Declaration of Independence. Declared all male citizens equal under the law.
Republic
This is a government ruled by elected representatives.
Suffrage
This means the right to vote.
Robespierre
The incorruptible" leader of the Committee of Public Safety who battled counterrevolutionaries within France. Embraced Rousseau's "general will" and believed victory could be achieved only through terror. "Liberty cannot be secured unless criminals lose
Nationalism
This is a strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country.
Annex
To add a territory to an existing state or country.
Guerrilla warfare
Fighting carried on through hit-and-run raids.
Abdicate
This means to give up or step down from power.
Congress of Vienna
The assembly of European leaders that met after the Napoleonic era to piece Europe back together; met from September 1814 to June 1815. Chief goal was to create a lasting peace by establishing a balance of power and protecting the system of the monarchy.
Legitimacy
Principle by which monarchies that had been unseated by the French Revolution or Napoleon were restored.
Concert of Europe
The system in which Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain met periodically to discuss any problems affecting the peace of Europe; resulted from the post-Napoleon era Quadruple Alliance. Would influence European politics for the next 100 years.
Industrial Revolution
This began in Britain and was a long, slow, uneven process in which production shifted from simple handmade tools to complex machines.
James Watt
He improved the coal-powered steam engine that would operate machinery and eventually locomotives and steamships.
Smelt
This is a process of using coal to heat iron in order to separate the iron form the ore. Produced less expensive, better quality iron. Attributed to Abraham Darby in 1707.
Capital
This is money used to invest in enterprise.
Eli Whitney
He invented the cotton gin, separated the seeds from the raw cotton quickly.
Urbanization
This is the movement of people from rural areas to cities.
Tenements
These are multistory building divided into crowded apartments.
Labor Unions
These are workers' organization.
Thomas Malthus
British laissez-faire economist, authored An Essay on the Principles of Population, stated poverty was unavoidable because the population was increasing faster than the food supply. War, disease, and famine were nature's "natural" population checks.
Utilitarianism
Idea that the goal of society should be to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
Socialism
This is a system in which the people as a whole rather than private individual's own all property and operate all business. Believed individual capitalism created a gulf between rich and poor.
Means of Production
These are farms, factories, railways, and other large businesses that produce and distribute goods.
Karl Marx
German philosopher believed Utopian ideas were unrealistic idealism. He formulated the theory of "scientific socialism." Predicted a struggle between social classes that would lead to a classless society where all means of production were owned by the com
The Communist Manifesto
Written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels who theorized that throughout history, all conflicts were driven by economics and social classes, the struggle between the "haves" and the "have nots." In industrialized Europe the "haves" were the Bourgeoisie and
Communism
Form of socialism that refers to a system in which government led by a small elite controlled all economic and political life.
Ideologies
A system of thoughts and beliefs.
Conservatives
This group believed change can only come slowly; natural rights and constitutional governments led to chaos.
Liberals
This group wanted a republican government; written constitutions, separation of powers, elected rulers who defended natural and basic rights.
The Balkans
Southeastern Europe, inhabited by people of various religious and ethnic groups ruled by the Ottoman Empire.
Autonomy
This means self-rule.
Radical
Those who favor extreme changes.
Recession
Period of reduced economic activity.
Peninsulares
Spanish born, highest class, reserved top jobs in government and the Church in Spanish America.
Creoles
Second class citizens, American-born descendants of Spanish settlers in Latin America.
Mestizos
A person of Native American and European descent.
Mulattoes
A person of African and European descent.
Simon Bolivar
The Liberator," creole inspired by the French Revolution and Enlightenment ideals leader of revolutions in Bolivia (1825), Colombia (1819), Ecuador (1822), Peru (1824), and Venezuela (1830). Won independence from Spain.
Haiti
French ruled colony on Hispaniola. Half million enslaved Africans worked the labor intensive, profitable sugar plantation and rebelled in 1791. More lives lost then in any other revolution in the Americas. Became independent in 1804.
Toussaint L'Ouverture
Self-educated former slave, brilliant general of the revolution in Haiti. Defeated the French, Spanish and British. Later, captured and died in a French prison.
Father Miguel Hidalgo
Creole priest rallied Mexicans to fight for independence. Called for improved conditions for Native Americans and an end of slavery. Led rebel forces until he was captured and executed.