Enlightenment and British Revolution Quiz

Enlightenment Ideas and European Influence

• The 18th century saw prosperity and the spread of Enlightenment ideas across Europe, challenging existing societal structures.
• Enlightenment thinkers categorized into different groups, including Encyclopedists, Religion Critics, Political Theorists, Economists, Feminists, Educators, and Social Critics.
• Key figures included Diderot, d'Alembert, Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Adam Smith, among others.

British Revolution

• The English Civil War (1642-1651) was a conflict between Charles I and Parliament over power, finances, and religion.
• Key battles included Edgehill and Naseby, resulting in Parliament's victory.
• The execution of Charles I (1649) was a significant turning point, leading to the temporary abolition of the monarchy.
• The Interregnum (1649-1660) was a period without a monarch, ruled by Oliver Cromwell.
• The Restoration (1660) saw the return of the monarchy under Charles II, but with limitations on royal power.
• The Glorious Revolution (1688) was a bloodless overthrow of James II, replacing him with William III and Mary II.
• The Bill of Rights (1689) established a constitutional monarchy, limiting royal authority.

Enlightenment Ideas

• Enlightenment thinkers criticized absolute monarchy, advocating for the happiness of subjects, challenging the right of monarchs to rule without limitations.
• Thinkers like Montesquieu proposed parliamentary monarchy, while others favored rule by the people.
• Enlightenment thinkers also advocated for humane justice, condemning torture and intolerance.
• They championed freedom of expression, equal rights, and freedom of trade.
• Enlightenment ideas spread through various social gatherings like salons and coffee houses in England and France.
• Enlightenment ideas also reached the working classes, aided by an expanding press and book production.

Spread of Enlightenment Ideas

• Enlightened despots, like Frederick II of Prussia, were influenced by Enlightenment ideals, but often held onto power.
• Philosophers employed writing as a way to disseminate their ideas, though censorship remained a threat.
• These ideas spread among the nobility, bourgeoisie, and eventually the working classes.

American Revolution

• British and French colonies clashed over land in North America, culminating in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). Britain's victory led to American frustration with British rule.
• Colonial discontent stemmed from taxes like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts without representation.
• Key protests included the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party.
• The Intolerable Acts further escalated tensions.
• The First Continental Congress met to coordinate a response.
• The American Revolution began with the battles of Lexington and Concord. George Washington commanded the Continental Army.
• The Declaration of Independence, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, declared the colonies' independence in 1776.
• France allied with the American cause, contributing significantly to American victory.
• The decisive battle at Yorktown (1781) led to Cornwallis' surrender.
• The Treaty of Paris (1783) officially recognized American independence.