Age of Reason
Who was Denis Diderot?
A French philosopher who compiled articles together called the Encyclopedia to help spread enlightenment ideas.
What is a salon?
A salon was like a party, or informal social gathering at which writers, philosophers, and others would exchange ideas.
Who is George Washington?
The general that Congress chose to lead the American forces in the American Revolution.
What group of people challenged the philosophes ideas and why?
Women! They argued that the enlightenment slogan "free and equal" did not apply to women.
What are natural rights and who advocated for them?
John Locke advocated for natural rights, the rights that belonged to all humans from birth.
What is baroque style?
A grand, ornate art style that was typically in Greek or Roman tradition, popular during the reign of Louis XIV.
What is popular sovereignty?
This principle says that all government power comes from the people. No people, no government.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
The first attempt at a constitution until they were revised in 1787 to the actual Constitution.
Who was Montesquieu?
An Enlightenment philosopher that believed that the best government had a separation of powers.
A lighter, elegant and charming style that was used by Louis XV and his court.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
He wrote most of the Declaration of Independence that was sent to King George.
Who was Catherine the Great and why was she "woke"?
Empress of Russia, she praised Voltaire and Diderot. She abolished torture and established religious tolerance in her lands.
Who was Adam Smith?
An economist that argued for a free market for businesses that operated with little government rules.
What is censorship and why were the philosophers censored?
Censorship is the act of restricting access to ideas and information. The philosophers were censored because they challenged old ideas.
Who was George III?
The king of Britain who imposed heavy taxes on the colonists that led to the American Revolution.
Who was Joseph II and why was he unique?
He was Emperor of Austria and an enlightened despot. He traveled among peasants in disguise to find out their problems.
What does laissez faire mean?
A policy supported by physiocrats that allows businesses to operate with little or no government control.
Who was an enlightened despot?
An enlightened despot was an absolute ruler who used their power to influence political and social change.
Why was the Battle of Saratoga so important?
This American victory persuaded France to join the Americans against the British.
What are "checks and balances" and from whom did the founding fathers get this idea?
Check and balances is a system of government that uses a separation of powers to check itself. Montesquieu first wrote about it in his book " The Spirit of the Laws".