What rules discoverable by reason did Enlightenment thinkers try to apply to the study of human behavior and society?
Using the methods of the Scientific Revolution, European thinkers and reformers set out to study human behavior and solve the problems of society.
The idea of natural law which influenced Enlightenment thinkers emerged from what?
The Scientific Revolution
Most enlightenment thinkers would come to believe in social contract, which is what?
A social agreement is an agreement by which people gave up their freedom to a powerful government in order to avoid chaos.
What is the best form of government, according to Thomas Hobbes? Why? How did Locke differ?
Hobbes believed that only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society. For him, such a government was an absolute monarchy, which could impose order and compel obedience. Not surprisingly, Hobbes had supported the Stuart kings in their struggle
What Enlightenment thinker argued that the purpose of government is to safeguard the natural rights of the people? What natural rights? What if they aren't safeguarded?
John Locke had more of an optimistic view of human nature. He thought people were basically reasonable and moral. Therefore they had natural rights, which are rights that belong to all humans from birth, such as life, liberty, and property. Locke argued t
The system of checks and balances in the United States Constitution was influenced by the ideas of which Enlightenment thinker?
Montesquieu
What were some ideas that Voltaire supported?
He targeted corrupt officials and idle aristocrats. With his pen, he battled inequality, injustice, and superstition. He detested the slave trade and deplored religious prejudice. He defended the principle of freedom of speech.
What role did Diderot play in the spreading of Enlightenment ideas?
Diderot worked for years to produce a 28-volume set of books called the Encyclopedia. As the editor, Diderot did more than just compile articles. His purpose was "to change the general way of thinking" by explaining ideas on topics such as government, phi
Economist Adam Smith argued that, in a free market, business activity would be regulated by what forces? What role did he believe government should play?
The natural forces of supply and demand should regulate business activity.
He felt that the government had a duty to protect society, administer justice, and provide public works.
Why did Enlightenment writers often face censorship?
To protect against the attacks of the Enlightenment.
How do Enlightenment writers sometimes try to avoid censorship?
They would disguise their ideas in works of fiction.
What role did Salons play in the Enlightenment period?
New literature, the arts, science, and philosophy were regular topics of discussion in salons, or informal social gatherings at which writers, artists, philosophes, and others exchanged ideas. The salon originated in the 1600s, when a group of noblewomen
What was an enlightenment despot?
An absolute ruler who used their power to bring about political and social change.
Why were the philosophes interested in sharing their beliefs with European rulers?
Because they hoped to convince European rulers to adopt their ideas and introduce reform.
How did Joseph II, an enlightened despot, learn about the problems of his peasants?
He traveled in disguise among his subjects to learn of their problems.
How did the arts evolve along with the new ideas of the Enlightenment?
The arts evolved to meet changing tastes.
New art styles such as
baroque: they glorified historic battles or the lives of saints.
Rococo: lighter, more personal, elegant, and charming.
What was the purpose of the Navigation Acts? How did the American colonists react to it?
The purpose of the Navigation Acts was to regulate colonial trade and manufacturing.
For the most part, however, these acts were not rigorously enforced. Therefore, activities like smuggling were common and not considered crimes by the colonists.
The Stamp Act imposed taxes on what items in the American colonies?
Items such as newspapers and pamphlets.
What enlightenment ideas are reflected in the Declaration of Independence?
The document clearly reflects Locke's political and legal ideas, including the idea of natural law.
In the Declaration, Jefferson further stated that people had the right "to alter or to abolish" unjust governments, echoing Locke's ideas about the right t
What is the principle of popular sovereignty?
Limited government based on separation of powers and a system of checks and balances.
What advantages did the colonists have in the American Revolution?
They were battling for their own independence on their own familiar home ground, and they had a strong, inspiring military leader George Washington.
How did the Battle of Saratoga mark a turning point in the American Revolution?
The Americans triumphed over the British. The victory persuaded France to join the Americans against Britain. This brought the Americans needed supplies, trained soldiers, and French warships.
Why did American leaders gather in Philadelphia in 1787? what was the original goal?
To write the Constitution of the United States.
How is power divided in the federal republic created in the Constitution?
The Constitution created a federal republic, with power divided between the federal, or national, government and the states. It provided for both an elected legislature and an elected president.
The idea of separation of powers in the Constitution was borrowed from which Enlightenment thinker?
Montesquieu
France's old order, Ancien Regime, was divided into 3 social classes called what?
1.The First Estate: clergy
2.The Second Estate: nobility
3.The Third Estate: vast majority of the population
What order did the clergy belong to In France's old order?
The First Estate
What group was part of the bourgeoisie in France's old order?
The Third Estate
They sat at the top of the third estate, which was the most diverse social class. They were also considered the middle class. They included prosperous bankers, merchants, and manufacturers, as well as lawyers, doctors, journalists, and pr
Who were the poorest members of the Third Estate?
The urban workers- They included apprentices, journeymen, and others who worked in industries such as printing or cloth making.
What economic troubles did France face in 1789, and how did this lead to further unrest?
Unrest exploded at a Paris wallpaper factory when a rumor spread that the factory owner was planning to cut wages even though bread prices were soaring. Workers vandalized the owner's home and then rioted through the streets. The rioting reflected growing
Why was Louis XVI forced to dismiss his financial advisor, Jacques Necker?
Necker proposed taxing the First and Second Estates, however, the nobles and high clergy forced the king to dismiss him.
Why have French Kings not called the Estates-General for 175 years?
Because they feared that nobles would try to recover the feudal powers they had lost under absolute rule.
What was the purpose of the Tennis Court Oath?
The First and Second Estates always outvoted the Third Estate two to one. This time, the Third Estate wanted all three estates to meet in a single body, with votes counted "by head." After weeks of stalemate, delegates of the Third Estate took a daring st
What group broke away from the Estates-General declaring themselves to be the National Assembly in 1789?
The Third Estate
The National Assembly was a result of what?
...
What happened at Bastille? What did it symbolize?
More than 800 Parisians assembled outside the Bastille, a grim medieval fortress used as a prison for political and other prisoners. The crowd demanded weapons and gunpowder believed to be stored there.
The commander of the Bastille refused to open the ga