AP World History: chapter 16 supplement Enlightenment and American Revolution Vocabulary Terms Review

Enlightenment a time of optimism and possibility from the late 1600s to the late 1700s; also called the Age of Reason.

Natural law rules of conduct discoverable by reason; used by Enlightenment thinkers to better understand social, economic, and political problems used to study human behavior and solve the problems of society.

Thomas Hobbes a seventeenth century English philosopher who lived through the English Civil War and who concluded that people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish; supported powerful government; outlined his views in Leviathan. He believed that only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society. For him such a government was an absolute monarchy, which could impose order and compel obedience.

Social contract an agreement by which people gave up their freedom to a powerful government in order to avoid chaos.

John Locke (1632-1704) English philosopher Developed political and economic theories during the Enlightenment. Wrote Two Treatises on Government in which he declared that people have a right to rebel against governments that do not protect their natural rights.

Natural right right that belongs to all humans from birth, such as life, liberty, and property.

Philosophe French for “philosopher” French thinker who desired reform in society during the Enlightenment.

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher explored democratic theories of government. Proposed a government divided into 3 branches, greatly influenced the United States Constitution.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French political philosopher Believed that people in their natural state were basically good and were corrupted by the evils of society, especially the unequal distribution of property

Voltaire (1694-1778) French philosopher and author known for his satire supporter of Deism, the idea that God was no longer involved with the universe after creating it advocated a tolerant approach to religion. Voltaire

Laissez-faire policy allowing business to operate with little or no government interference.

Adam Smith (1723-1790) Scottish economist Became the leading advocate of laissez-faire economics Considered by some to be the “father of modern economics” wrote the first true text on economics, The Wealth of Nations, in 1776.

Censorship restriction on access to ideas and information

Enlightened despots Catherine the Great of Russia the absolute monarchs in 18th century Europe who ruled according to the principles of the Enlightenment. Joseph II of Austria

Salons gatherings in which intellectual and political ideas were exchanged during the Enlightenment.

Baroque ornate style of art and architecture popular in the 1600s and 1700s. Palace at Versailles

Rococo elegant style of art and architecture made popular during the mid-1700s, featured designs with the shapes of leaves, shells, and flowers.

Revolution radical change, far-reaching effects.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman; he was a philosopher, scientist, inventor, writer, publisher, first U.S. postmaster, and member of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

George Washington 1732-1799) First president of the United States; he commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and served as a representative to the Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American statesman Third president of the United States, member of two Continental Congresses, Chairman of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence Declaration’s main author and one of its signers.

James Madison (1751-1836) American statesman; he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and the fourth president of the United States; he is known as “the father of the Constitution.”

Popular sovereignty Basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power Government can exist only with the consent of the governed.

Federal republic government in which power is divided between the national, or federal, government and the states.