Enlightenment and American Revolution Vocabulary Terms Review

 a time of optimism and possibility from the late 1600s to the late 1700s; also called the Age of Reason.

 rules of conduct discoverable by reason; used by Enlightenment thinkers to better understand social, economic, and political problems used to study human behavior and solve the problems of society.

 a seventeenth century English philosopher who lived through the English Civil War and who concluded that people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish; supported powerful government; outlined his views in Leviathan. He believed that only a powerful government could ensure an orderly society. For him such a government was an absolute monarchy, which could impose order and compel obedience.

 an agreement by which people gave up their freedom to a powerful government in order to avoid chaos.

 ( ) English philosopher  Developed political and economic theories during the Enlightenment.  Wrote Two Treatises on Government in which he declared that people have a right to rebel against governments that do not protect their natural rights.

 right that belongs to all humans from birth, such as life, liberty, and property.

 French for “philosopher”  French thinker who desired reform in society during the Enlightenment.

 ( ) French political philosopher  explored democratic theories of government. Proposed a government divided into 3 branches, greatly influenced the United States Constitution.

 ( )  French political philosopher Believed that people in their natural state were basically good and were corrupted by the evils of society, especially the unequal distribution of property

 ( ) French philosopher and author  known for his satire  supporter of Deism, the idea that God was no longer involved with the universe after creating it  advocated a tolerant approach to religion.

 policy allowing business to operate with little or no government interference.

 ( ) Scottish economist  Became the leading advocate of laissez-faire economics  Considered by some to be the “father of modern economics” wrote the first true text on economics, The Wealth of Nations, in 1776.

 restriction on access to ideas and information

 the absolute monarchs in 18 th century Europe who ruled according to the principles of the Enlightenment. Catherine the Great of Russia Joseph II of Austria

 gatherings in which intellectual and political ideas were exchanged during the Enlightenment.

 ornate style of art and architecture popular in the 1600s and 1700s. Palace at Versailles

 elegant style of art and architecture  made popular during the mid-1700s, featured designs with the shapes of leaves, shells, and flowers.

 radical change, far- reaching effects.

 ( ) American statesman; he was a philosopher, scientist, inventor, writer, publisher, first U.S. postmaster, and member of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

 ) First president of the United States; he commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and served as a representative to the Continental Congress.

 ( ) American statesman  Third president of the United States, member of two Continental Congresses,  Chairman of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence  Declaration’s main author and one of its signers.

 ( ) American statesman; he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and the fourth president of the United States; he is known as “the father of the Constitution.”

 Basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power  Government can exist only with the consent of the governed.

 government in which power is divided between the national, or federal, government and the states.