Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment

The Scientific Revolution The emergence of modern science during the early modern period, when developments in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, medicine, and chemistry transformed views of society and nature.

The Scientific Method Finalized by Rene Descartes A way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments.

Nicolaus Copernicus Developed the heliocentric theory that states the sun is the center of the universe

Johannes Kepler Developed the laws of planetary motion Planets travel in an oval (ellipsis) around the sun

Galileo Galilei Used the telescope to support the heliocentric theory.

Isaac Newton Formulated the laws of gravity 3 Laws of motion (Ex. an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.)

William Harvey Described the blood’s circulation in the body. Showed that veins and arteries form a complete circuit The circuit starts at the heart and leads back to the heart.

The Enlightenment A European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition.

The Enlightenment Grew out of the Scientific Revolution More secular views Fueled revolutions in France & America

Thomas Hobbes Argued that people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish Need a strong gov’t to rule the people (an absolute monarch) Leviathan (Sea Monster)

John Locke People were basically responsible and good Tubula Rasa (Blank Slate) Believed people had inalienable rights (Ex?) Limited gov’t accepted by all (Democracy)

Baron de Montesquieu Anti-absolute monarchies Gov’t needs checks & balances so one branch doesn’t become too powerful.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau People are basically good but become corrupt by society. (Ex?) The Social Contract

Voltaire Very outspoken! Freedom of speech & religion (First amendment) Separation of church and state

Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of Independence Pro-Enlightenment 3rd Pres. of the US