The World in Perspective I

World History

100

This was an intellectual movement in European societies that took place during the 17th and 18th centuries. These thinkers tried to apply the principles of reason and the methods of science to all aspects of society. Voltaire and Rousseau were part of this movement; it followed the Scientific Revolution. The ideas developed at this time would influence the American and French Revolutions. Overall, thinkers during this era looked at science as a method of addressing problems within Western societies.

What is The Enlightenment?

200

This event marked a great transition for the world we live in today. Most historians understand this exchange as one of the most significant in human history, as the trade included a diffusion in ideological, cultural, political, economic, and biological traditions. In some ways, this event reflects our shared reality today; there was a trans-Atlantic exchange, in other words.

What is the Colombian Exchange?

300

During this historical time period, a movement away from agricultural societies was made. Children were made to work, often with little to no rights, and many workers suffered discomforting, as well as dangerous, conditions at work. At the same time, this era improved many aspects of Western life. To this day, this revolution is occurring in many nations, but began in England in the 17th century.

What is The Industrial Revolution?

400

This has been one of the most influential thinkers in European political and economic philosophy. As a professor at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, he defended the idea of a free-economy, as well as three natural laws of economics: law of self-interest; law of competition; law of supply and demand. He is known as the father of modern-capitalism. Years later, Karl Marx would respond to this writer.

What is Adam Smith?

500

This was a time period in French society that marked a powerful, yet dangerous, transition within the nation's political system. After the fall of the monarchy, for instance, Maximilien Robespierre slowly gained power and many institutions, including the church, fell. Many people died; they were declared enemies of the revolution. What is the official name of the era that marked Robespierre's control of France?

What is the Reign of Terror?

Political Theory

100

He is an Enlightenment thinker. Americans are said to follow his political-philosophy almost blindly. As a political thinker, he was an inspiration to Thomas Jefferson. He believed that humans are naturally generous and only fight over property rights. From a religious stance, he believed that humans possessed a moral compass, given that everyone derived from a universal creator. Whenever you open a history book, he is often described as someone who countered Thomas Hobbes.

What is John Locke?

200

This political thinker explained the importance of consenting to government and power. As an English political writer, he believed that humans are naturally selfish, violent, and egoistic, however, and for this reason he argued for the citizenry to consent to an absolutist regime. This writer is a social contract theorist, according to political scientists and historians. He wrote the Leviathan and would later be countered by John Locke.

What is Thomas Hobbes?

300

This political writer explained the importance of equality. For some scholars, he illustrates the uglier side of political, social, and economic inequality. As a writer, he spoke about class-struggles, class-conflict, and worker exploitation. He has influenced institutions, as well as movements, all over the world. As a general rule, he is very unpopular in the United States. Although he was not the first to touch upon the subject of communism in Western political theory, he did so during the Industrial Revolution.

What is Karl Marx?

400

This political thinker, who was perhaps anti-political, stressed the idea of individualism. He was born in Prussia, which is in modern day Germany. According to some scholars, he was beyond left and right, and he disliked conformity to groups, in a sense. Beyond his discomforting philosophy, this writer is known as a father to the philosophical tradition of Existentialism.

What is Friedrich Nietzsche

500

Known to be one of the most influential, if not the most influential writer in respect to Western political theory, he outlined four theories of justice within his masterpiece. One of these ideas on justice is brought forth by Thrasymachus, whereby the notion that injustice is better than justice is argued. As an Athenian scholar who was deeply influenced by Socrates, his book was called The Republic, where he explains the famous Allegory of the Cave.

What is Plato?

American Government

100

This document explains the importance of civil liberties for citizens of the United States; it was written during the construction of the American regime, by the Anti-Federalists, and the document provides citizens of America with 10 specific rights over government.

What is The Bill of Rights?

300

This document highly influenced the American government. In 1215, England's King John signed this charter that established that rulers are subject to the laws -- as are citizens of a society. This marked a major step towards the American constitutional government, when one examines Western political history.

What is The Magna Carta?

400

Within the Federalist Number 10, which was written by James Madison, the political writer explains his "observations on dealing with the mischief(s) of faction." What kind of government does Madison propose for American society? Was it a direct-democracy, oligarchy, aristocracy, representative-democracy, or a parliamentary system?

What is a representative government?

500

In respect to laws that are passed by Congress, these committees "seek to affect the making of public policy, and, especially, the outcome of elections in the United States." There are over 4,000 of them. For the most part, they are controlled by special interest groups. What are these committees calls? Many people today protest against their power in American government, and

What is a/are Political Action Committee(s) (PACs)?

Geography

100

This American state was discovered by the Spanish Conquistador Vasco Nunez de Balboa, during his time in the New World; this state is also one of the largest in the United States and is home to the Giant Sequoia. This is one of the most populated states.

What is California?

200

What is the most prominent religion in the Middle East? This religion was founded by a prophet named Mohammed, who in many ways took the Abrahamic line of thinking and applied it into a more modern context, arguably.

What is Islam?

300

In contrast to the southern colonies’ economy, the Northern colonies witnessed a much more harsher climate, so as a result of these conditions, the agricultural industries did not prove to be as profitable as one would perhaps wish. What kind of economy developed within the Northern portion of the United States?

What is an industrial economy?

400

When looking at the geography and climate of the Colonial Economy in the United States, one can see differences between the Upper, Middle, and Lower Colonies. The Northern American Colonies, for instance, witnessed a colder, harsher environment in contrast to the South. What kind of economy did Southern Colonies possess?

What is an agricultural economy?

500

What are some of the causes of air pollution in the world today, according to most scientists? If helpful, these include the burning of petroleum, gas, and coal, and using pesticides. Think about cars, specifically.

What is using fossil fuels, fires, chemical use, and industry?

American History

100

During the 1960's, this political activist wrote a famous speech that explained the importance of furthering the civil rights and liberties to all Americans, regardless of ethnic or racial background. The speech argues that the Deceleration of Independence and the Constitution regard people of all colors. The writer of this speech was assassinated. The movement that he helped lead is still, very much, developing today, arguably.

What is "I have a Dream" speech by Doctor Martin Luther King Junior?

200

This war took place in the 1960's and 1970's, and it was very controversial during this time, as tension was growing throughout the United States in respect to the so-called growth of communism, internationally. Historians, as well as political scholars, say that this is an example of a proxy war. There were many protests during this era.

What is The Vietnam War?

300

After World War I, and towards the end of the 1920's, the American economy fell into what has been called the Great Depression. Life was difficult during this time. In order to help alleviate American losses, this president introduced many public works programs. He later served as the leader for the United States for most of World War II. Who was he?

What is Franklin D. Roosevelt?