Causes of the Enlightenment
Discoveries in the natural world, such as the Sun actually being the center of the Solar System, were important parts of this "Revolution".
The Scientific Revolution
This English Enlightenment thinker believed in Natural Rights and the right to rebel against any government that took them away.
John Locke
This revolution led by George Washington saw 13 colonies revolting against unfair taxation from the British Empire
The American Revolution
This revolutionary general was elected the first president of the United States of America.
George Washington
The belief that a ruler and their family were given the right to rule by God himself
Divine Right (of kings)
The belief that everyone should have the ability to practice any religion they want and say whatever criticism they want about the government
Freedom of Religion and Speech
Much like his hard to pronounce 3 syllable name, this French Enlightenment thinker believed in separating the powers of government into 3 different branches.
Montesquieu
While there were no actual battles fought during the revolution, the Catholic Church found itself fighting against scientists who were attempting to use logic and reason to understand the natural world.
The Scientific Revolution
This Enlightenment revolutionary penned the phrase "All men are created equal" with rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence, but owned more than 600 slaves during his lifetime, at least one of which he forced to bare his illegitimate children.
Thomas Jefferson
A type of society that was organized into Kings, lords, vassals, and peasants or surfs who were bound to the land.
Feudalism
The belief that a governments power should be split into ideally 3 different branches, those being the executive, legislative, and judicial.
Separation of Powers
This Enlightenment thinker authored "The Social Contract" and believed the people have to give up some freedoms so the government could provide safety.
Jean-Jac Rousseau
This revolution saw the Third Estate rising up against a king living a lavish lifestyle while his people starved. Heads rolled, but in the end, Napoleon declared himself military dictator.
The French Revolution
Known as "Latin America's George Washington" or "El Libertador", this revolutionary secured the independence of not just one country, but several in Latin America.
Simón Bolívar
A split in the Christian Church, led by Martin Luther, who in protest, nailed 95 complaints to a Catholic church's door demanding reform
The Protestant Reformation
The idea that the citizens of a country give up certain rights in order for the government to protect the good of everyone.
The Social Contract
This Italian Enlightenment thinker was the father of criminal justice, opposing torture and the death penalty.
Beccaria
This revolution started as a slave revolt and ended in the creation of the first black Republic.
The Haitian Revolution
This Haitian revolutionary was a former slave who rose through the ranks to become one of the most important figures during the Haitian Revolution.
Toussaint Louverture
This event was a rebirth of culture, originating in Italy, that ushered in a new age of art, literature, and music in Europe.
The Renaissance
The belief that no one should be tortured or receive the death penalty.
Criminal Justice
This French Enlightenment thinker who went by an alternative name, used humor to argue for people's right to speak freely against the government and practice whatever religion they wanted.
Voltaire
Taking place across several countries in the New World, Simon Bolivar led this series of revolutions against Spain.
Latin American Revolutions/Bolivarian Revolutions
This French revolutionary demanded the execution of anyone who disagreed with this Reign of Terror, only to find his head on the chopping block of the guillotine.
Robespierre