Honors World History

Honors World HistoryEnlightenment and American Revolution Vocabulary Terms ReviewEnlightenmenta time of optimism and possibility from the late 1600s to the late 1700s; also called the Age of Reason.

Natural lawrules of conduct discoverable by reason; used by Enlightenment thinkers to better understand social, economic, and political problems

used to study human behavior and solve the problems of society.Thomas Hobbesa seventeenth century English philosopher who lived through the English Civil War and who concluded that people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish; supported powerful government; outlined his views in Leviathan. He 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.

Social contractan agreement by which people gave up their freedom to a powerful government in order to avoid chaos.

John Locke(1632-1704) English philosopherDeveloped political and economic theories during the Enlightenment. Wrote Two Treatises on Government in which he declared that people have a right to rebel against governments that do not protect their natural rights.

Natural rightright that belongs to all humans from birth, such as life, liberty, and property.

PhilosopheFrench for philosopher

French thinker who desired reform in society during the Enlightenment.

Baron de Montesquieu(1689-1755) French political philosopher explored democratic theories of government.

Proposed a government divided into 3 branches, greatly influenced the United States Constitution.Jean-Jacques Rousseau(1712-1778) French political philosopher

Believed that people in their natural state were basically good and were corrupted by the evils of society, especially the unequal distribution of propertyVoltaire(1694-1778) French philosopher and author

known for his satire

supporter of Deism, the idea that God was no longer involved with the universe after creating it

advocated a tolerant approach to religion.

Laissez-fairepolicy allowing business to operate with little or no government interference.

Adam Smith(1723-1790) Scottish economistBecame the leading advocate of laissez-faire economics Considered by some to be the father of modern economics wrote the first true text on economics, The Wealth of Nations, in 1776.

Censorshiprestriction on access to ideas and information

Enlightened despotsthe absolute monarchs in 18th century Europe who ruled according to the principles of the Enlightenment.

Catherine the Great of Russia

Joseph II of AustriaSalonsgatherings in which intellectual and political ideas were exchanged during the Enlightenment.

Baroqueornate style of art and architecture popular in the 1600s and 1700s.

Palace at VersaillesRococoelegant style of art and architecture

made popular during the mid-1700s, featured designs with the shapes of leaves, shells, and flowers.

Revolutionradical change, far-reaching effects.

Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790) American statesman; he was a philosopher, scientist, inventor, writer, publisher, first U.S. postmaster, and member of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

George Washington1732-1799) First president of the United States; he commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and served as a representative to the Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826) American statesman Third president of the United States, member of two Continental Congresses, Chairman of the committee to draft the Declaration of IndependenceDeclarations main author and one of its signers.

James Madison(1751-1836) American statesman; he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and the fourth president of the United States; he is known as the father of the Constitution.

Popular sovereigntyBasic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental powerGovernment can exist only with the consent of the governed.

Federal republicgovernment in which power is divided between the national, or federal, government and the states.