Enlightenment and French Revolution Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are natural laws?

Rules discovered by use of reason such as gravity and magnetism.

What is the Social Contract according to Hobbes?

An agreement that gave up people's freedom for an organized society.

What are natural rights?

Rights which belong to all humans from birth.

What is rationalism?

The belief that logic and reasoning should be the basis of your actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is The Encyclopedia?

A series of 28 books which explained government, philosophy, religion, and more. Signup and view all the answers

Who are Physiocrats?

French thinkers who focused on reforms based on natural laws, mainly of economics. Signup and view all the answers

What is mercantilism?

The economic policy where a country should be self-sufficient and is valued by its gold and silver. Signup and view all the answers

What is capitalism?

An economy in which trade of raw goods and products is governed by businesses, not the government. Signup and view all the answers

What is a salon?

Informal social gatherings where writers, artists, and philosophers exchanged ideas. Signup and view all the answers

Who are enlightened despots?

Absolute rulers who used their power to cause social and political change. Signup and view all the answers

What was Thomas Hobbes' view of human nature?

He believed humans are essentially selfish creatures and democracy would never work. Signup and view all the answers

What did Montesquieu advocate for in government?

Three separate branches of government. Signup and view all the answers

What was Rousseau's main belief about society?

He believed that society's institutions corrupt people's natural goodness. Signup and view all the answers

What did John Locke believe about government?

People have the natural ability to govern themselves and should have three branches of government. Signup and view all the answers

What did Voltaire critique?

Corruption, inequality, injustice, and superstition. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Adam Smith?

An economist known as the father of Capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

What is deficit spending?

When the government spends more money than it takes in. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Estates General?

A collection of three estates that voted on laws and ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Assembly?

A legislative body created by the Third Estate after they pushed for change. Signup and view all the answers

What was the National Convention?

It changed the name of the National Assembly and wanted to become a republic. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

An oath by the National Assembly to not separate until a sound constitution was established. Signup and view all the answers

What comprised the First Estate?

The clergy and all church members, who were against the Enlightenment. Signup and view all the answers

What comprised the Second Estate?

The nobility. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts of the Enlightenment

Natural laws: Rules identified through reason, such as gravity and magnetism, influencing beliefs about governance and society.
Social Contract: A concept developed by Hobbes where individuals consent to surrender freedom for societal order.
Natural rights: Fundamental rights inherent to all humans from birth, foundational to modern democratic thought.
Rationalism: The philosophy prioritizing logic and reason as the basis for actions and beliefs.

Influential Works and Ideas

The Encyclopedia: A collection of 28 volumes edited by Diderot, covering diverse topics like government and philosophy, advocating for freedom of expression and denouncing slavery.
Physiocrats: French economists emphasizing reforms grounded in natural laws, particularly in economic matters.
Mercantilism: Economic doctrine advocating self-sufficiency based on gold and silver reserves.
Capitalism: An economic system where goods are produced and traded by private businesses rather than government control.

Cultural Movements

Salon: Informal gatherings for intellectual exchange among writers, artists, and philosophers, facilitating the spread of Enlightenment ideas.

Political Theories and Philosophers

Enlightened despots: Absolute rulers who implemented reforms inspired by Enlightenment principles for social and political improvement.
Thomas Hobbes: Advocated for monarchy, viewing humans as inherently selfish; believed in strong government to curb natural tendencies toward competition and violence.
Montesquieu: Proposed the separation of government into three branches and held controversial views on gender roles and religion.
Rousseau: Criticized societal institutions for corrupting human goodness and advocated for direct democracy as the ideal form of governance.
John Locke: Emphasized self-governance and rights protection; opposed slavery and advocated for a governmental structure with separated powers.
Voltaire: Focused on combating inequality, injustice, and the slave trade through sharp critique and advocacy for free speech and tolerance.
Adam Smith: Recognized as the father of capitalism, promoting economic theories aligned with physiocratic principles.

Notable Historical Events

Deficit spending: A fiscal policy where the government expends more than its revenue, contributing to financial instability.
Estates General: An assembly of the three social classes whose voting system evolved due to Third Estate pressures; significant in the lead-up to revolutionary changes.
National Assembly: Formed by the Third Estate seeking legislative power; its declaration followed the Tennis Court Oath, vowing to create a new constitution.
National Convention: The renamed assembly aimed for a republic, aiming to dismantle monarchy during the Radical Phase of the revolution.
The Tennis Court Oath: A commitment made by the National Assembly to not disband until a viable constitution was established.

First Estate: Comprised of clergy, representing 1-2% of the population, and typically opposed Enlightenment ideas.
Second Estate: Made up of the nobility, holding significant social and political privileges, further complicating France's class dynamics.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts from the Enlightenment and the French Revolution with these flashcards. Each card presents essential terms and definitions that shaped modern political thought. Perfect for students preparing for exams or anyone interested in history.