What was the Enlightenment?
An 18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, individual rights, and skepticism of traditional authority A religious revival movement led by John Wesley and George Whitefield that swept Britain and the American colonies A military alliance of European monarchs formed to prevent the spread of French Revolutionary ideas after 1789 A period of severe economic depression caused by over-speculation in colonial ventures and joint-stock companies
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What did John Locke argue about natural rights?
All people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property; government exists to protect these rights Kings have absolute divine right granted by God, so subjects have no legitimate grounds to resist royal authority Only the wealthy landowning class possesses rights, since property ownership proves the capacity for rational judgment Rights are granted entirely by government, not nature, so the state may expand or revoke them as it sees fit
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What was Montesquieu's contribution to political thought?
The separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny Absolute monarchy as the best form of government, since only a strong central ruler can maintain order and peace Direct democracy for all adult citizens, where every person votes personally on each law without representatives Government ownership and direction of all major industries to ensure equal distribution of wealth and opportunity
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What was the French Revolution (1789)?
Overthrew monarchy; inspired by Enlightenment but led to Terror A peaceful transition to democracy negotiated between Louis XVI and the National Assembly without violence A war between France and England over control of the Ohio Valley and Caribbean sugar islands A religious reformation in which French Protestants overthrew the Catholic Church and seized its properties
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What did Rousseau argue in 'The Social Contract'?
Government by consent through social contract and general will Absolute monarchy founded on divine right and royal inheritance, with subjects owing unconditional obedience Individuals have no obligations to the community or common good, only to their own self-interest and property Only philosophers should rule because most citizens lack the wisdom and education needed to govern themselves
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What was the significance of the Scientific Revolution?
It established the scientific method and transformed understanding of nature through figures like Galileo, Newton, and Copernicus It affected only astronomy, leaving biology, chemistry, and medicine unchanged by the new experimental methods It was limited entirely to England, where the Royal Society monopolized scientific research and publication It had no impact on Enlightenment philosophy, since thinkers like Locke and Voltaire ignored natural science entirely
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American revolutionaries drew heavily on Enlightenment political philosophy when justifying independence from Britain. Which connection best illustrates this influence?
Hint: Think about the phrase 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' and where similar language about natural rights first appeared.
The Declaration of Independence echoed Locke's language of natural rights and government by consent, arguing that a government violating those rights could be rightfully overthrown The American revolutionaries rejected all Enlightenment philosophy, basing independence solely on economic grievances over taxation The Declaration of Independence was modeled directly on Rousseau's argument for absolute monarchy under a single sovereign Enlightenment philosophy had no influence in the colonies since most philosophers' works were banned by British law
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What was the Enlightenment?
An 18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, individual rights, and skepticism of traditional authority A religious revival movement led by John Wesley and George Whitefield that swept Britain and the American colonies A military alliance of European monarchs formed to prevent the spread of French Revolutionary ideas after 1789 A period of severe economic depression caused by over-speculation in colonial ventures and joint-stock companies
Show Answer