Download Name: Global History and Geography II Unit 1: Road to the

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Global History and Geography II
Unit 1: Road to the Enlightenment
Middle Ages/Dark Ages/Medieval Period - (500-1500) thousand year period in Europe after the fall of
the Roman Empire, when weak kings needed the support of local lords to keep order, power and authority
of the Roman Catholic Church was nearly absolute
de-centralized government – when a weak ruler needs the support of local lords to maintain order and
control – a feudal system divides power like this
Renaissance - (1400s) rebirth of Greek and Roman learning, art, and culture at the end of the Middle Ages
humanism – Renaissance philosophy which emphasized the value of the individual and focused on this
life more than the afterlife, presented a challenge to the church
Nicoli Machiavelli- wrote The Prince during the Renaissance which expressed that a ruler must do
whatever is necessary to remain in power. “The ends justify the means.”
Scientific Revolution- Beginning in the mid 1500s (16th century), scholars published works that
challenged the ideas of ancient thinkers and the church regarding the world.
dogma- a belief that is to be accepted and not challenged or questioned
scientific method- logical way to test a theory. (Observation, hypothesis, test, evaluation, conclusion)
geocentric theory- belief that the Earth was the center of the universe. The Catholic and Protestant
churches had taught this.
heliocentric theory- belief that the Earth and other planets in our solar system revolve around the sun
Nicolaus Copernicus- developed the heliocentric theory (1543)
Galileo Galilei- supported Copernicus’ theories but was forced by the Church to recant (take back) his
support of the heliocentric theory
absolute government- there is no limit to the powers of the government. Citizens have no rights.
monarchy- government by one person (King or Queen)
divine right- the idea that God appointed the monarch and the monarch is God’s representative on Earth
mandate of Heaven- Chinese version of divine right
Age ofAbsolutism- (17th – 18th centuries) Monarchs centralized (brought to them) power and ruled most
European countries with absolute power, weakened feudalism
King Louis XIV- Divine right monarch of France who built the palace of Versailles and declared, “I am
the State.”
Peter the Great- Absolute ruler (Czar) of Russia who instituted many western European fashions,
newspapers, and factories in Russia and wanted warm water ports
Magna Carta- English document that restricted the power of the king, by stating that the king was not
above the law (1215)
Thomas Hobbes- wrote The Leviathan which expressed that people are basically wicked and need an
absolute ruler to maintain law and order
The Enlightenment/Age of Reason – (17th – 18th centuries) time period where writers began to question
the power of absolute monarchs and claimed that the people had rights
philosopher – lover of wisdom
John Locke – Enlightenment philosopher who believed people were born with the natural rights of life,
liberty, and property and that a government that failed to protect those rights should be overthrown
tyranny- the abuse of power
limited government- there is a limit to the powers of the government. Citizens have rights that are
protected.
democracy- government by the people. Major decisions are made with the consent of the governed (the
people)
Parliament- group of elected lawmakers to represent the needs of the people in government and limit the
power of the monarch
The Glorious Revolution- Nearly bloodless revolution in England that resulted in Parliament limiting the
rights of the monarch (1688)
The English Bill of Rights- List of things the English monarch could not do (1689), guaranteed freedom
of speech and press
Montesquieu- Enlightenment philosopher who believed government power should be separated into 3
branches which could check each others power to prevent tyranny
Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Enlightenment philosopher who came up with the social contract theory
social contract – the idea that there is a deal between government and the people – government protects
the people’s rights and the people obey the government’s rules
Voltaire – Enlightenment philosopher who criticized the wealth and power of the Roman Catholic
Church, supported freedom of speech, but believed a fair and just monarch was the best form of
government
enlightened despots – Absolute rulers who adopted some enlightened ideas but still ruled ruthlessly and
absolutely
Catherine the Great – Enlightened despot in Russia who outlawed torture, supported education, gave
religious freedom, but ruthlessly crushed rebellions against her rule