CHAPTER 17: Enlightenment and Revolution The Scientific Revolution

During the Middle Ages people looked to the Church for answers to the natural world. People believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. This is known as the Geocentric theory.

Geocentric Theory

It was proposed by Aristotle in the 300s BC It was proposed by Aristotle in the 300s BC. This was the start of the Scientific Revolution.

The Scientific Method contains five parts: Identify Hypothesis Experiment Record Analyze

Developed by Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes.

Bacon believed that the only way to truly gain scientific knowledge was through experimentation Descartes believed that everything should be doubted until it could be proven by reason.

Heliocentric Theory ­Nicolaus Copernicus disagreed with the Geocentric Theory and came up with his own theory: Heliocentric Theory. the sun is the center of the universe. He would not publish his findings until right before he died for fear of backlash from the Church.

Heliocentric Theory

Tycho Brahe Tycho Brahe believed that the sun revolved around the earth but the other planets revolved around the sun.

Johannes Kepler Johannes Kepler discovered that the planets revolved around the sun in an ellipse.

Galileo Galilei Galileo Galilei built the first telescope used for astronomy in 1609. He also discovered that the Milky Way was made up of stars.

Sir Isaac Newton came up with the Law of Universal Gravitation. It states that gravity affects objects in the universe as well as on earth. He also developed calculus.

Sir Isaac Newton came up with the Law of Universal Gravitation Sir Isaac Newton came up with the Law of Universal Gravitation. It states that gravity affects objects in the universe as well as on earth. He also developed calculus.

Andreas Vesalius Andreas Vesalius made discoveries about anatomy. He was even given dead bodies to use by the king.

William Harvey discovered how the heart works.

Antony van Leeuwenhoek developed a microscope Antony van Leeuwenhoek developed a microscope. He was the first person to describe microorganisms. Robert Hooke is credited creating the term cell.

Robert Boyle Robert Boyle was the first chemist to define an element. He said that elements were tiny clusters of particles.

Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier developed the first periodic table.

The Enlightenment Thinkers decided that reason could be used to solve all human problems. This is the start of the Enlightenment. Enlightenment thinkers would have gatherings called salons were they would meet and discuss ideas.

The Enlightenment

Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes believed that people needed government in order to preserve order. He came up with the social contract where people would give up their rights to a strong ruler in exchange for safety. He also believed that the best type of government is a absolute monarchy.

Thomas Hobbes

John Locke John Locke believed that people were naturally happy, tolerant, and reasonable. He said that people where born equal with three natural rights: life, liberty, and property. The purpose of government was to protect there natural rights.

Jean- Jacques Rousseau Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that people were born good. He believed that government should work for the benefit of the common good. He also wanted people to give up some of their rights in order to benefit the whole.

Baron de Montesquieu argued that the best form of government included a separation of powers. This would prevent someone from abusing their power. He liked it because it would serve as a system of checks and balances.

Voltaire French philosopher Voltaire attacked injustice in the government and church. He like to write in satire. The French government would later exile him.

Denis Diderot published the Encyclopedia Denis Diderot published the Encyclopedia. It would contain 28 volumes and it would take 28 years for him to finish it. Mary Wollstonecraft demanded equal rights for women. Adam Smith believed in a free market and laissez-faire economics.

Catherine II Catherine II (The Great) of Russia drafted a constitution and code of laws.

Fredereick II Rulers who used these Enlightenment ideas were called Enlightened Despots. Frederick II of Prussia would establish public education and he abolished torture and supported religious tolerance.

Joseph II of Austria would eliminate the death penalty and provide free food and medicine for poor people.

Paul Bunyan and Babe

Birth of the American Revolution

The American Revolution 2nd Continental Congress The American colonies declared independence from England in 1776. The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It was written by Thomas Jefferson. George Washington would be named leader of the Continental Army.

British Surrender at Yorktown The British general Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington after the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia in September 1781. The Treaty of Paris ended the war.

Treaty of Paris Two years later American, British and French diplomats signed the Treaty of Paris.

Before French and Indian War 1763 After French and Indian War 1763 Territorial Gains Before French and Indian War 1763 After French and Indian War 1763

Lexington and Concord

The first government of the new United States of America was the Articles of Confederation. It was very weak. The government did not have the power to tax and all states have to approve any change.

Nations First Constitution The first government of the new United States of America was the Articles of Confederation. It was very weak. The government did not have the power to tax and all states have to approve any change.

Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention lead by George Washington New Confederation

In 1787, delegates met to create a new constitution In 1787, delegates met to create a new constitution. The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia and would last four months. It would go into effect in 1789.

Independence Hall

American Government It created a federal system, of government. This is when some powers are held by the federal government and some by the state governments. It also created three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. In order for all of the states to ratify it, a Bill of Rights was added to it.

Separation of Powers

Federal System