Scientific Revolution/Enlightenment/Global Political Revolution(1750-1914) Test
Review KEY
1. Scientific Revolution- The roots of the Scientific Revolution can be found in the Renaissance with the work of
Copernicus, Galileo, Harvey and other scientists. It rejected traditional authority and church teachings in favor of
the direct observation of nature. The revolution in science was based on the new scientific method – in which
people observed nature, made hypotheses through experiments.
2. Nicolaus Copernicus- First to propose a heliocentric model of the universe
3. Francis Bacon- Stressed experimentation and observation, Scientific Method
4. Galileo Galilei- Proved Copernicus’ theory sun centered universe by using a telescope, His views were not
supported by the Roman Catholic Church and he was tried for heresy
5. Rene Descartes- Father of Modern Philosophy, I think, therefore I am”
6. Robert Boyle- This figure pioneered of the use of the Scientific Method in chemistry. He is best known for
discovering a law that helps to explain certain characteristics of volume, gas, and pressure.
7. Isaac Newton- Among his many accomplishments, this great mathematician and physicist brought together
some of the theories and discoveries of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo under a single theory of motion known as
the Law of Universal Gravitation.
8. Enlightenment- European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and
individualism rather than tradition. It was heavily influenced by 17th-century philosophers such as Descartes,
Locke, and Newton, and its prominent exponents include Kant, Goethe, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Adam Smith.
9. Thomas Hobbes- was known for his views on how humans could thrive in harmony while avoiding the perils
and fear of societal conflict. His experience during a time of upheaval in England influenced his thoughts
10. John Locke- Humans are naturally reasonable, moral and good, Humans have natural rights: life liberty and
property
11. Baron de Montesquieu - French enlightenment thinker. First to propose that governments work best when there
are multiple branches that can hold the others accountable. The United States Separation of Powers is designed
based on Montesquieu’s work.
12. Voltaire - Controversial French enlightenment thinker who championed individual rights. He believed it was the
government’s job to protect rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. He hated how much
power the European church had.
13. Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Write of The Social Contract, he argues that sovereignty(power to make laws) should
be in the hands of the people.
14. William Blackstone - He studied the history and nature of British law. And, his writings and findings are largely
the basis of American law today.
15. Mary Wollstonecraft - British advocate for women’s rights in the 18th century. More specifically, she promoted
education among women as she felt education was the only thing that separated men and women.
Scientific Revolution/Enlightenment/Global Political Revolution(1750-1914) Test
Review KEY
16. Causes of the American Revolution - While there were many events that built up to the American Revolution,
ultimately is was about distance and representation. The people of the American colonies felt that they should
have a say (or representation) in any and all decisions made by the British king and parliament that affected the
colonies. Because the distance between Great Britain and its colonies was so great, the rift grew wider. The
improving communication amongst the colonists promoted independence.
17. Declaration of Independence - Letter written by Thomas Jefferson on behalf of the American Colonies to King
George III and Great Britain that declared the colonies and independent nation separate from Great Britain. This
came after King George III rejected a plea of sorts that would have given the colonists more rights and
representation. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke influenced this political document.
18. US Constitution - Ratified in 1787, the amendments of the constitution serve as the foundation for American
government. This came on the heels of the Articles of Confederation, which was a failed attempt at establishing
a sound government. The constitution outlines laws, rights, and the structure for the United States government.
Many enlighten ideas from Montesquieu, Voltaire, Locke, and Rousseau are evident in this document.
19. Bill of Right (US) - The first ten amendments of the constitution. These are the individual rights that the
constitution and US government are supposed to protect at all costs. These had to be added to the original
constitution before it was ratified by all of the states.
20. Thomas Jefferson - Author of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd president of the United States.
21. Treaty of Paris 1783 – The treaty officially ended the American Revolution. Great Britain then recognized the
United States of America.
22. Causes of the French Revolution – Social inequality, Economic problems, and Weak Monarchy
23. France National Debt – Louis left France in deep debt from two wars Seven Years’ War and the American
Revolution along with poor harvest (crops) and lavish court spending strained the treasury of France. Nobles
and clergy were resistant or unwilling to pay taxes in this financial crisis.
24. First Estate – Compromised of the Clergy (church), .5% of the population, and paid no taxes
25. Second Estate – Compromised of the Nobility, 1.5% of the population and paid no taxes
26. Third Estate – Compromised of the peasant farmers and bourgeoisie (middle class), 98% of the population, paid
ALL the taxes, and had very little political power.
27. Louis XVI – King of France, was weak and indecisive would not reform the troubling French state, and
eventually he summoned the Estates General after 175 years of not doing so to make some changes. Louis
became hesitate in accepting the reforms set worth by the National Assembly. Louis and his family tried to
escape Paris but it failed and Louis was executed in January 1793.
28. Marie Antoinette – Austrian princess whom married King Louis XVI, was not well liked by the French received
nicknames such as Madame Deficit due to her over spending during times of crisis. Marie will be executed in
1793.
29. Estates General – Had not meet in 175 years. Louis summoned the Estates General traditionally each Estate had
one vote, under this system the first and second estate could out vote the third estate.
30. National Assembly – The third estate claimed they were representing the people of France therefore claiming
themselves the National Assembly. They invited other delegates from the other estates to help them write a
constitution. Days later they were locked out in turn they met at a nearby tennis court until a constitution was
written.
Scientific Revolution/Enlightenment/Global Political Revolution(1750-1914) Test
Review KEY
31. Bastille - French Middle Age castle which was converted to a prison and held a number of political enemies of
the French monarch leading up to the French Revolution of 1789. Today, celebrated as “Bastille Day” the July
14th, 1789 “Storming of Bastille” marks the beginning of the French Revolution in many historians
minds. Bastille had been rumored to house many weapons which most low ranking French people did not have
access, yet their hopes of obtaining a large amount of weapons were dashed and although some French troops
and residents died, and some political prisoners freed, the raid itself had little military impact on the revolution.
32. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen - the document leading the charge in the French Revolution. It
declared the French government rested on the consent of the people instead of the divine rights of kings. The
Declaration announced all French were free and equal and bears some resemblance to the American Declaration
of Independence.
33. Committee of Public Safety - takes over the French Government in 1793. Lead by Robespierre and other
assertive leaders, they turn to force to achieve their goals, launching an approximately year long phase of the
French Revolution known to historians as the Reign of Terror.
34. “Reign of Terror” - mid-1793 to mid 1794 was a result of the Committee of Public Safety’s assertion of power
and control against any rebellion. Estimates of up to 40,000 ‘rebels’ were executed, many facing the machine
of the Reign, the guillotine, including the King, Queen and their descendants. The Reign of Terror ends with its
leader, Robespierre and his supporters them selves meeting their end in the guillotine, after which power shifted
back toward more moderate leadership.
35. Impact of the French Revolution - . One idea, is the trans-oceanic spread of revolutionary fever from America
to Europe. It is worth noting that this ‘fever’ will spread not just in Europe, but soon to Latin American and is
still spreading globally today. Another idea is that the French Revolution will set up the scenario in which
Napoleon will enter. Even after Napoleon’s fall in 1815, the French will return again to a monarchy and
although limited, will have to endure another revolution in 1848 before ushering in the Republic which exists
today.
36. Napoleon Bonaparte - (1769 – 1821) was born of lower nobility on the island of Corsica. He is trained in the
French military and will go on to be one of the most successful military leaders in history all but conquering
Europe in an incredibly short period of time. His success was based heavily in his military strategies of
aggressiveness, speed, flanking and pioneering artillery usage. His political policy of nepotism allowed him to
shift focus to his next target. He did introduce his legal code in his growing territory which was a mix of
traditional and enlightenment ideals. He crowned himself emperor in 1804 after selling Louisiana to America
in 1803. His downfall began with his effort to conqueror Russia in 1812. After early success, the devastating
cold of the Russian winter will decimate his Grand Army and by 1815 he will be exiled to an island until his
death in 1821.
37. Battle of Waterloo - June of 1815 is Napoleon’s final defeat at the hands of a multinational force lead by the
British forces led by Duke Wellington. Soon after Napoleon will be force to abdicate and go into exiled on St.
Helena.
38. Napoleonic Code - establish some stability in France and the rest of controlled Europe during the time of
Napoleon. This Code mixes traditional law with Enlightenment ideals such as social equality (mostly for men)
religious toleration and trail by jury.
Scientific Revolution/Enlightenment/Global Political Revolution(1750-1914) Test
Review KEY
39. Congress of Vienna - established by several European powers following the age of Napoleon. The goal is to reestablish traditional borders which existed before Napoleon’s conquests. Often re-instating old monarchs and a
balance of power designed to prevent another Napoleonic rise of power and control. The Congress does take
steps to abolish the slave trade and instate rights to Jewish minorities.
40. William Wilberforce - British politician, devout Christian and assertive slavery abolitionist during the early 19th
century. He becomes a key player in the 1807 Slave Trade Act banning the buying and selling of slaves in
Britain, yet his greatest victory came in the year of his death with the complete abolition of legal slavery
throughout the British Empire in 1833.
41. Nationalism - A strong feeling of pride in the and devotion to one’s country
42. Creoles - People of pure European blood but born in the New World. One cause of Latin American Revolution
was Creole discontent at being left out of government jobs and trade concessions.
43. Peninsulares - Native Spaniards, top of the social hierarchy.
44. Toussaint L’Ouverture - Military genius and political led to the establishment of the independent black state of
Haiti, transforming an entire society of slaves into a free, self-governing people. The success of the Haitian
Revolution shook the institution of slavery throughout the New World.
45. Jose de San Martin - Aided Bolivar, but favored Monarchy. Argentinian general and the prime leader of the
southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.
46. Simon Bolivar - Creole leader of the revolutions in Venezuela. Called the “George Washington of South
America.” Accomplishments: Liberated territories of modern day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, &
Bolivia
47. Miguel Hidalgo – Priest in Mexico raised a cry for freedom that would echo across the land, he called for
reforms and led a ragged army but was captured and executed.
48. Monroe Doctrine - a US foreign policy regarding Latin American countries in 1823. It stated that further efforts
by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as
acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention.