Download John Locke In the 17 century English philosopher John Locke

John Locke
In the 17th century English philosopher John Locke developed theories of empiricism that
emphasized the role of human experience in the pursuit of knowledge and truth. Many of
Locke’s political theories influenced the authors of the Constitution of the United States.
Many of Locke’s political ideas, such as those relating to natural rights, property rights, the
duty of the government to protect these rights, and the rule of the majority, were later
embodied in the U.S. Constitution. Locke further held that revolution was not only a right but often an
obligation, and he advocated a system of checks and balances in government. He also believed in religious
freedom and in the separation of church and state
Thomas Hobbes
English political philosopher Thomas Hobbes is best known for his treatise Leviathan.
Written during the mid-17th century amidst the tumult of the English Revolution,
Leviathan outlines Hobbes’s theory of sovereignty, which states that only one person
should have absolute (or all) power over all citizens.
Jean Jacques Rousseau
One of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers, French philosopher Jean Jacques
Rousseau argued that individual freedom is more important than state institutions. His
political writings helped inspire the French Revolution (1789-1799). He also wrote
eloquently on education, arguing that children learn best by interacting freely with their
environment. His thoughts on education anticipated 20 th- century reforms in schooling.
Oliver Cromwell
A member of England’s Parliament and a dedicated Puritan, Oliver Cromwell led his
forces to victory against King Charles’s army. Even though he had no military
experience, Cromwell turned out to be a brilliant cavalry leader. The defeat and
subsequent execution of the king left Cromwell as virtual dictator over England
William & Mary II
English opponents of James, unhappy with his autocratic rule and favoritism
toward Roman Catholics, initiated the Glorious Revolution, forcing James
into exile and giving the throne to Mary and William (who became king as
William II). They were crowned as joint rulers of England in April 1689.
Mary governed as regent while William was campaigning in Ireland (169091) and on the Continent (1692-94), but for the most part she simply carried
out policies formulated by her husband. William continued to rule alone after
her death
George Washington
Washington, George (1732-1799), first president of the United States (1789-1797) and one
of the most important leaders in the United States history. His role in gaining independence
for the American colonies and later in unifying them under the new U.S. federal government
cannot be overestimated. Laboring against great difficulties, he created the Continental
Army, which fought and won the American Revolution (1775-1783), out of what was little
more than an armed mob. After an eight-year struggle, his design for victory brought final
defeat to the British at Yorktown, Virginia, and forced Great Britain to grant independence
to its overseas possession.
On April 30, 1789, 57-year old George Washington took the oath of office as the first president of the United
States. After Washington took the oath on the portico at Federal Hall in New York City, thousands of citizens
cheered and 13 cannons fired a salute. Inside, Washington delivered his inaugural address in the Senate
Chambers. Excerpt recited by an actor.
Maximilien Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre was one of the most controversial figures in the French Revolution. In
the cause of fostering democracy, Robespierre helped bring about the Reign of Terror in which
thousands were executed by the guillotine. He eventually met the same fate.
Louis XVI
Louis XVI of France was the grandson of King Louis XV and was married to Marie-Antoinette.
Louis was considered a well-intentioned but weak king. A heavy tax burden and court
extravagances led eventually to a popular revolt against him and paved the way for the French
Revolution. Louis was guillotined by the revolutionary regime in 1793.
Marie-Antoinette
Marie-Antoinette was the queen of France who died on the guillotine in 1793 during the
French Revolution. Her lavish life-style made her unpopular, but she paid no attention to
her country’s financial crisis, refusing to make any concessions to hungry mobs who
marched on the place in Versailles. Instead, she called out troops. Violence followed, and
she and her husband, King Louis XVI, were imprisoned by revolutionaries and later
executed.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was the greatest military genius of the 19th century. He conquered
most of Western Europe and Egypt for France, while instituting reforms in these new
territories aimed at guaranteeing civil liberties and improving the quality of life. He
crowned himself emperor of France in 1804 and introduced reforms intended to unify
the revolution-fractured nation. Many of Napoleon’s reforms are still in effect today.
Napoleon I (1769-1821), emperor of the French, who consolidated and institutionalized
many reforms of the French Revolution. One of the greatest military commanders of all time, he conquered the
larger pat of Europe and did much to modernize the nations he ruled.
José de San Martin
Argentine general José de San Martin helped lead South America to freedom from Spanish
rule, during The Latin-American Revolution. San Martin is regarded as one of Argentina’s
foremost heroes.
Simon Bolivar
Simon Bolivar helped win independence from Spain for Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador,
Peru, and Venezuela. Revered throughout South America, Bolivar earned the name The
Liberator during the Latin American Revolution.
Thomas Paine
During the 1770s political philosopher and writer Thomas Paine agitated for American
independence from Britain. One of the most eloquent figures of the period, Paine voiced
American revolutionary sentiments with his 1776 pamphlet, Common Sense. In the
popular and inspirational pamphlet, Paine asserted that Great Britain exploited the
American colonies and contributed nothing to America’s well-being. He then returned to
Europe and was a major voice for the French Revolution as well.
Charles I
Charles I was king of England from 1625 to 1649. Charles believed in the divine right of
kings and did not feel accountable to Parliament. His behavior provoked the English
Revolution, which was fought between the armies of the king and those of Parliament.
Defeated and convinced of treason by Parliament, Charles was beheaded in January 1649.
George III (George William Frederick; 4 was King of Great Britain and King of
Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801,
after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his
death.
His life and reign, which were longer than those of any previous British monarch, were
marked by a series of military conflicts. Early in his reign, Great Britain defeated
France in the Seven Years' War, becoming the dominant European power in North
America and India. However, many of its American colonies were soon lost in the
American War of Independence. Further wars against revolutionary and Napoleonic France from 1793
concluded in the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.