Renaissance and Scientific Revolution Terms

Renaissance and Reformation Terms

• Patron: A wealthy individual, family, or institution supporting Renaissance artists, writers, and scholars, like the Medici family.
• Humanism: A movement emphasizing classical Greek and Roman texts, human potential, individual achievement, and secular concerns.
• Indulgence: A Catholic practice allowing purchase of sin remission; criticized by Martin Luther.
• Predestination: The belief, core to Calvinism, that God predetermines salvation or damnation.

Scientific Revolution and Exploration Terms

• Heliocentric: The sun-centered universe theory, proposed by Copernicus, contradicting the geocentric model.
• Circumnavigate: To sail completely around the world; Magellan's expedition was the first to do so.
• Inflation: A general increase in prices and decrease in money value, often from gold/silver influx, impacting Europe during the Age of Exploration.
• Encomienda: A Spanish colonial system allowing settlers to claim Native American labor or tribute for protection and conversion.

Absolutism and Government Terms

• Absolute Monarch: A ruler with complete authority over government and people's lives, often claiming divine right, like Louis XIV.
• Divine Right: The belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, justifying absolute power.
• Balance of Power: A political system where rival nations maintain similar strengths, avoiding domination by one.
• Constitutional Monarchy: A government limiting a monarch's power through a constitution or laws, like England after the Glorious Revolution.
• Limited Monarchy: A system where a monarch's power is restricted by law or a governing body, like Parliament in England.
• Oligarchy: A government ruled by a small group of powerful individuals, usually from the elite.

The Enlightenment and the American Revolution (1700–1800)

Section 1: Philosophy in the Age of Reason

• Enlightenment: A period emphasizing reason, individualism, and challenging traditional authority, to improve governance and quality of life through natural laws.
• Thomas Hobbes: An Enlightenment thinker advocating for a strong government to control chaos, supporting absolutism, as seen in Leviathan.
• John Locke: An Enlightenment thinker believing in natural rights (life, liberty, property), emphasizing government protection of these rights, influencing modern democracy.
• Montesquieu: Proposed the separation of government powers (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent tyranny, outlined in The Spirit of the Laws.
• Voltaire: Advocated for freedom of speech and religion, criticizing intolerance and corruption.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Advocated for the social contract, where governments are based on the "general will" of the people, discussed in The Social Contract.
• Mary Wollstonecraft: Argued for women's rights and education, prominently in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.
• Adam Smith: Promoted free-market economics and the "invisible hand" in The Wealth of Nations.

Section 2: Enlightenment Ideas Spread

• Enlightenment Idea Dissemination: Ideas spread through salons, the printing press, and art/literature reflecting Enlightenment themes.
• Enlightened Despots: Monarchs adopting Enlightenment ideas to institute reforms, like Frederick the Great (Prussia), Catherine the Great (Russia), and Joseph II (Austria).

Section 3: Britain at Mid-Century

• Britain's Rise: Britain's power increased through trade and colonization, leading to the United Kingdom's formation in 1707 (England, Scotland, and Wales).
• Colonial American Economy: American colonies economically flourished but were limited by British policies like mercantilism and taxes.
• British Political Changes: Britain transitioned to a constitutional monarchy, with Parliament gaining greater power.

Section 4: Birth of the American Republic

• American Revolution Causes: Colonial grievances against British policies (taxation without representation) and Enlightenment ideas fueled calls for independence and democracy.
• Declaration of Independence: A 1776 document authored by Jefferson asserting natural rights and justifying rebellion against Britain.
• Revolutionary War Outcome: Colonies, with French assistance, defeated British forces.
• U.S. Constitution: Established a federal system with checks and balances, influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu, including a Bill of Rights ensuring freedoms like speech and religion.
• American Revolution's Global Impact: Inspired future democratic movements in France and Latin America.

Key Themes and Takeaways

• Enlightenment Reason: Enlightenment thinkers believed reason could solve social and political problems.
• Challenge to Authority: Enlightenment ideas challenged traditional institutions, like absolute monarchies and the Church.
• Modern Democracy: Modern democratic principles are rooted in Enlightenment thought.
• Global Impact: The American Revolution spread ideas of liberty and self-governance globally.