Scientific Revolution
A major shift in thinking between 1500 and 1700 in which modern science emerged as a new way of gaining knowledge about the natural world
Nicolaus Copernicus
Proposed the heliocentric theory that put the sun in the center of the earth with the planets traveling around the sun.
Johannes Kepler
Improved upon Copernicus's theory by showing that the planetary orbits were ellipses (ovals) not circles; wrote mathematical laws describing the movement of the planets
heliocentric
having the sun at the center
geocentric
having Earth at the center
Galileo
was forced by the church court known as the Inquisition to swear that the geocentric theory was true
Galileo
Italian astronomer and mathematician who built his own telescope and found four moons revolving around Jupiter
Isaac Newton
Discovered the laws of gravity
microscope, barometer, thermometer, telescope
four "key" inventions of the Scientific Revolution
salon
an informal meeting place where ideas are exchanged
The Enlightenment
a new age of reason in which people discussed how governments and social institutions could be based upon rational understanding
Thomas Hobbes
Englishman who wrote that human beings are naturally cruel, selfish and greedy.
Thomas Hobbes
Believed that there should be absolute (unlimited) rule by kings
John Locke
Believed in constitutional monarchy
constitutional monarchy
a form of government in which the monarch's (king's) power is limited by a basic set of laws (constitution)
natural rights
rights that belong to people simply because they are human beings
John Locke
Believed that a government should be overthrown by the people if it fails to protect their rights
Baron de Montesquieu
Famous for the idea of having three branches of government so that no one branch may have too much power
Baron de Montesquieu
known for the concept of "separation of powers
Voltaire
believed in religious tolerance and freedom of speech
Cesare Beccaria
believed that punishment should fit the crime, in speedy and public trials, and that capital punishment should be done away with completely
capital punishment
putting someone to death (the dealth penalty)
Declaration of Independence
John Locke's ideas regarding natural rights and the purpose of government are echoed in this U.S. document
U.S. Bill of Rights
This U.S. document protects freedom of speech and religion as championed by Voltaire.
Madame Geoffrin
Prominent sponsor of "salons" in France
Abigail Adams
Advised her prominent husband not to forget women when she stated, "Women will not hold ourselves bound to any Laws in which we have no voice.
Olympe de Gouges
Branded a traitor and sent to the guillotine in France for attempting to organize women. Said that women should have the right to vote, hold office, own property, and serve in the military.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Called for reforms (changes) to give women the same education as men.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
The first person to see bacteria through a microscope
rationalism
The belief that reason (logical thought) can be used to discover basic truths about the world.