Download Name: Date: ______ Global 9 Period: ______ Global 9: Final Exam

Name: ____________________________________
Global 9
Date: _____________
Period: ___________
Global 9: Final Exam Information Sheet
Date: Tuesday, June 7th (in class)
Format: 40 Multiple Choice
What to bring: 2 pencils & 2 pens (POINTS WILL BE TAKEN OFF YOUR TEST IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED)
How to prepare:
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
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Review old tests & quizzes
Study review packet
Study your vocabulary:
o Flashcards/ foldables OR
o http://www.studystack.com/users/Newarkg9 (link is located on library webpage)
Practice multiple choice questions:
http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/core/questions/topics.cfm?Course=GLOB
Date: Wednesday, June 8th (in class)
Format: Thematic Essay
What to bring: 2 pens
How to prepare: Use your class notes to create a detailed outline for EACH of the potential essays (and then
study them!)
Potential Essay topics:
o 2 Turning Points (A turning point is a change. Be able to describe what was different about the
before and after.)
(Neolithic Revolution, Fall of Rome/Middle Ages, Crusades, Renaissance, Reformation, Age of
Exploration, The Encounter (conquest of the Americas), The Enlightenment, French Revolution)
o 2 geographic landforms (and how they have impacted a group of people/civilization)
(Mountains, Rivers, Seas, Oceans, Deserts)
o 2 People (what they did, why they did it and how it made an impact)
(Mansa Musa, Ghenghis Khan, Martin Luther, King Henry VIII, John Calvin, Qin Shi Huangdi,
Siddartha Guatama, Mohammad, Jesus Christ, Pope Urban II, Alexander the Great, Julius Ceasar,
Francisco Pizzaro, Hernan Cortes, Christopher Columbus, Leonardo DaVinci, Michaelangelo, Louis
XIV, Peter the Great, Robespierre, Confucius)
REVIEW: 2:30-3:00 (Ms. Cook’s Room)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
Intro to Global &
Geography
Belief Systems
Neolithic Revolution
and Early Civilizations
Early Civilizations
(+ Greece and Rome)
Medieval Europe
May 30
May 31
June 2
NO SCHOOL
Medieval Europe cont’d
& Feudal Japan
June 1
Renaissance, Scientific
Revolution, Protestant
Reformation
June 8
FINAL EXAM
(Thematic Essay)
June 6
A little bit of everything
June 7
FINAL EXAM
(Multiple Choice)
Age of Exploration and
Conquest
June 9
June 3
Absolutism,
Enlightenment, French
Revolution
June 10
UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
I.
Social Scientists:
a. Historians- Study written records of past events.
b. Geographers- Study the Earth’s surface and its impact on humans. Geographers often examine
topography (physical land features), climate (weather), human migrations (movement), and the
way in which humans adapt to (learn to live in) different environments. Geographers will often
examine two types of maps.
i. Political Maps- Show borders of political boundaries such as countries, states, etc.
ii. Physical/Topographic Maps- Show land features such as mountains, rivers, deserts, lakes,
etc.).
c. Economists- Study how societies use available resources.
d. Anthropologists- Study past and present human cultures.
e. Archaeologists are a type of anthropologist. They examine the culture of past human societies
through analysis of physical remains (artifacts).
II.
Historical Sources
a. Primary Source- A firsthand record of a historical event created by an eyewitness who actually
experienced the event (Examples- Diaries, photographs, artifacts, autobiographies).
b. Secondary Source- A secondhand record of an historical event created by a person who did NOT
actually experience the event (Examples- textbooks, encyclopedias, biographies).
III.
Time Frame
a. BC & BCE= number of years BEFORE zero; AD & CE= years after zero
b. 16th century= 1500s
17th century= 1600s
18th century= 1700s
etc.
IV.
Types of Government
a. Democracy- people have a say in their government
b. Republic- a type of democracy in which people choose their leaders
c. Dictatorship/Totalitarian/Absolute- government has complete control over the people
d. Monarchy- a king or queen rules
e. Limited Monarchy/Constitutional Monarchy- a king or queen rules but has limits on their power
V.
Types of Economies
a. Traditional Economy/Barter Economy: people trade goods and services with each other (no
money; used in earliest civilizations)
b. Manorialism: An economic system in Medieval Europe in which lords owned manors (areas of
land) that were self-sufficient (provided for its own needs)
c. Mercantilism: System in which the colony produces raw materials for the mother country, who
turns them into manufactured goods and sells them back for a profit
d. Market Economy/ Free-market/ Capitalism: individuals make economic decisions (people
choose what to buy and sell) and aim to make a profit
VI.
Additional Terms:
a. Cultural Diffusion- Civilizations share ideas, beliefs and goods with each other
b. Cultural Diversity- Civilizations live near each but not share ideas/beliefs (usually because
geography prohibits interaction)
c. Social Hierarchy- A system in which people are divided by social class (usually a few people
have a lot of wealth and power and the majority of the population his little)
d. Natural Resources- Something that is found in nature and is valuable to humans (ex. water,
mineral deposits, timber, etc.)
UNIT 2: BELIEF SYSTEMS
I.
II.
III.
Monotheistic: belief in one God
a. Judaism:
i. Followers are called Jews
ii. Holy book: Old Testament
iii. 10 commandments: code of behavior to follow (ex. though shall not steal)
b. Christianity
i. Holy book: Bible (Old & New Testament)
ii. 10 commandments: code of behavior to follow (ex. though shall not kill)
c. Islam
i. Followers are called Muslims
ii. Holy book is the Koran (Qur’an)
iii. Practiced mostly in the middle east
iv. Five Pillars of Faith
1. Declaration of Faith (Allah is the only God and Muhammad is his messenger)
2. Pray five times a day towards the holy city of Mecca
3. Give 2.5% of wealth to charity
4. Fast during Ramadan (no food or drink from sunrise to sunset for the month long
holiday)
5. Hajj- Take a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime
Polytheistic: belief in many Gods
a. Hinduism
i. Holy books are the Vedas and Upanishads
ii. Practiced mostly in India
iii. Key ideas:
1. Caste system (social hierarchy; one’s caste (social class) is determined by birth;
no social mobility (you can’t move up or down in the caste system
2. Dharma (one’s duties in life based on your caste)
3. Karma (what good/bad you put out into the universe comes back to you)
4. Moksha (the ultimate goal of Hinduism; when one has been reunited with
Brahman and released from the cycle of reincarnation.
Atheistic (no God)/ Philosophies
a. Buddhism
i. Practiced mostly in Southeast Asia (ex. China)
ii. Siddhartha Gautama took the name Buddha, meaning “enlightened”
iii. 4 noble truths: 1-everyone suffers; 2-suffering is caused by desire; 3-in order to end
suffering, you must end desire; 4-to end desire you must follow the eightfold path (a
guide to moral behavior)
iv. The goal of Buddhism is to achieve Nirvana (the state of being enlightened/free of desire
and suffering)
v. Buddhism and Hinduism are similar because they both believe in reincarnation
b. Confucianism
i. Helps maintain order and stability in society
ii. The Five Relationships- The idea that every person has specific roles and obligations.
For example, subjects must obey their ruler, wives must obey their husbands, and
children must obey their parents.
iii. Filial Piety- respect for elders/parents
c. Legalism- philosophy based on the idea that humans are evil and that harsh punishments are
needed in order to prevent crime and keep order in society.
d. Shintoism/Animism- belief that there are spirits in nature (both living and nonliving things)
UNIT 3: THE NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION AND ANCIENT RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS
I.
The Neolithic Revolution (8000BC-3000BC)
a. BEFORE the Neolithic Revolution was the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age; ppl were nomads)
b. People changed from being nomads (people who wander from place to place hunting and
gathering food) to people living in permanent settlements because they had learned how to farm
and domesticate animals
c. This was the start of civilizations (an organized society with a government, social classes, job
specialization, writing and religion).
II.
Ancient River Valley Civilizations (3000-BC-1000BC)
a. Early civilizations settled near river valleys because they:
i. Were a good source of water (for drinking and watering crops)
ii. Had fertile soil which was good for farming (especially when the rivers flooded)
iii. Were a good source of food (animals came to river which made hunting easier + fish)
iv. Made transportation easy
b. Common features of Ancient River Valley Civilizations:
i. They were all polytheistic- people believed in many gods associated with nature
ii. Traditional economies (barter-trade with goods (not money))
iii. Subsistence farming: people only farmed enough to take care of family; they didn’t
produce extra food to sell for a profit
c. Additional information to know:
i. Pyramids- advanced architectural structure created by the Egyptians for Pharaohs (kings)
ii. Hieroglyphics- Ancient Egyptian writing system
iii. Cuneiform- Ancient Sumerian writing system
iv. Code of Hammurabi- written set of laws known for harsh punishment (“an eye for an eye”)
v. Phoenicians created the first modern alphabet
d. Take note of the names of each civilization and the river valleys they settled around
UNIT 3: EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Africa
a. Mali, Ghana, and Songhai were kingdoms in West Africa known for trading in gold, salt and
ivory. They were on a Trans-Saharan trade route (route across the Sahara desert)
b. Timbuktu was known as a key trading city (located near Niger River)
c. Mansa Musa was from Mali. He traveled to Mecca because he was a Muslim and spread his
religion on his way back. He was also known for handing out gold on the way.
India
a. Aryans- first group that conquered the remains of the Indus River Valley Civilizations by
invading through the mountain passes, created the caste system, developed Sanskrit writing, and
were polytheistic
b. Maurya Dynasty- A famous ruler, Asoka- wrote the laws of India on tall rock pillars that were
displayed throughout India. He converted to Buddhism during his reign and is known for his
kind treatment of people and animals
c. Gupta Dynasty- Golden Age of India known for many achievements in math, science, art, and
literature. Some of the achievements include the invention of zero, the development of Sanskrit
writing, and Buddhist cave paintings.
China
a. Achievements of early dynasties: writing system, paper, porcelain, woodblock printing,
gunpowder, movable type, compass, silk
b. Dynastic cycle- the rise and fall of ruling families (dynasties) that was determined by the
Mandate of Heaven (God gave people the right to rule)
c. Shang & Zhou dynasties- earliest dynasties with simple achievements like the wheel and paper
d. Qin dynasty-Qin Shi Huangdi was known for being a legalist (ruled with harsh laws) and is
credited with building the Great Wall of China to keep out invaders
e. Tang & Song dynasties
i. “Golden Ages” of China (many cultural achievements; peace)
ii. Civil service test- a test one had to pass to get a job in the government; based on
Confucian principles
f. Silk Road- trade routes between Europe and Asia that increased cultural diffusion
Latin America
a. Common characteristics among early civilizations in Latin America:
i. They were organized, developed and advanced BEFORE Europeans showed up
ii. They were culturally diverse due to lack of interaction because they lived near mountains
and tropical forests
iii. They adapted to their environments (ex. Different forms of farming)
iv. They were polytheistic
b. Mayas
i. Location: present day Central America/Mexico
ii. Achievements: concept of zero, calendar, writing system, Ziggurats (pyramids)
iii. Farming: slash and burn (clear sections of dense forest for fertile farmland)
c. Aztecs
i. Location: present day Mexico
ii. Achievements: Calendar, writing system, capital city of Tenochtitlan, pyramids
iii. Farming: chinampas- crops grew on floating gardens
d. Incas
i. Location: present day Peru (along the Andes mountains in South America)
ii. Achievements: irrigation systems brought water to crops, pyramids, roads
iii. Farming: terrace farming (cut flat sections into mountainside to farm on)
UNIT 4: CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS (GREECE & ROME)
I.
II.
Greece (800BC-500 BC)
a. The people of Greece were polytheistic
b. First Olympic games were held every 4 years to honor their god, Zeus
c. Alexander the Great- spread Greek (Hellenistic) culture to all of the areas that he conquered.
d. Mountainous topography caused Greece to form many independent city-states instead of one
large empire. The two most famous city-states were:
i. Athens:
1. First democracy (people have a say in their government)
2. Famous philosophers (thinkers): Socrates, Aristotle & Plato
ii. Sparta: war-like/military society in which people had little freedom
Rome (800BC-500AD)
a. Located on the peninsula of Italy
b. Rome began as a small city-state but eventually created a large empire by conquering most lands
surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.
c. Pax Romana, or “Roman Peace,” was the golden age of Rome in which they had many
achievements and maintained political stability.
d. The Romans had a vast network of roads which helped unite their empire, increased trade, and
increased cultural diffusion
e. Advanced architecture: concrete, arches, domes, aqueducts (bridge-like structure used to
transport water)
f. Government:
i. First Republic (government in which people elect representatives)
ii. Twelve Tables: set of written laws
iii. Developed important legal concepts such as “innocent until proven guilty” and the
use of evidence in court
g. Rome eventually split into two:
i. Rome (the West) soon collapsed and fell into the Dark Ages
ii. Byzantine Empire (the East) stuck around for another 1000 years
UNIT 5: MEDIEVAL EUROPE
I.
Medieval Europe/Middle Ages (400AD-1400AD)
a. The Middle Ages is the period of time in Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire and before
the Renaissance.
b. They were characterized by having many Germanic kingdoms, increased warfare & less trade.
c. The Church was a very powerful force in Europe during the Middle Ages.
i. Popes usually held both spiritual & political power
ii. The church was at the center of each manor
iii. People became devoted to God because their lives were so difficult
d. Feudalism:
i. Feudalism is a political and social system in which land is exchanged for loyalty and service
ii. Decentralized government- the King spread out his power amongst the lords who each
owned their own land/manor
iii. Feudalism provided stability and order
iv. Social Hierarchy:
1. Nobles/Lords: owned their own manors/land
2. Knights: mounted warriors that practiced chivalry- a code of behavior (similar to
Japanese Samurai’s code of Bushido)
3. Serfs (peasants): made up the majority of the population
e. Manorialism:
i. Manorialism was the medieval economic system
ii. Each manor (area of land) was owned by a lord
iii. The manors were self-sufficient (provided for its own needs) which caused trade to decrease
II.
The Crusades (1100-1300)
a. The Crusades were a series of holy wars in which the Christians fought to regain control of
the holy land (sacred area of land in the Middle East that includes Jerusalem) from the
Muslims.
b. Causes of the Crusades:
i. European Christians believed they would be forgiven for their sins if they fought for
God.
ii. European Christians believed the Holy Land should not be controlled by Muslims.
iii. Many poor Europeans wanted to escape from feudalism.
iv. Many Europeans hoped to gain wealth from the Middle East.
c. Effects of the Crusades:
i. Cultural diffusion occurred as trade & travel greatly increased between Europe and
the Middle East
ii. Europeans learned about the many Muslim achievements from their golden age
iii. Feudalism declined
iv. In the end, the Muslims/Turks keep control of the holy land
VI.
The Black Death (1347-1351)
a. The Black Death refers to the major disease (called bubonic plague) that killed 25 million people
in Europe (almost 1/3 of the population) during the late Middle Ages.
b. The disease started in East Asia (maybe China) and spread to Europe over trade routes such as
the Silk Road. The interaction of different groups of people helped spread the disease.
c. Major effects (results) of the Black Death:
i. Depopulation- The population of Europe decreased from 85 million to 60 million.
ii. Feudalism continued to decline as serfs fled from manors for better opportunities.
iii. Trade temporarily decreased.
III.
Byzantine Empire (500AD-1453AD)
a. After the western area of the Roman Empire was conquered in 476 AD, the eastern portion of the
Roman Empire survived and became known as the Byzantine Empire.
b. Key features and achievements of the Byzantine Empire:
i. Constantinople- The capital city of the Byzantine Empire; key trading center because its
prime location on between Europe and Asia
ii. Eastern Orthodox Religion- This was the branch of Christianity that was practiced by the
people of the Byzantine Empire
iii. Justinian Code- Written set of laws created by Emperor Justinian; preserved stability
iv. Preservation of Greek and Roman Culture- The Byzantines preserved (saved) and passed
on important texts created by the Greeks and Romans.
v. Cultural Diffusion- the Byzantine Empire had a major influence on the neighboring
civilization of Russia. Through contact with the Byzantine Empire, Russia received:
1. The Eastern Orthodox Religion (which is still practiced in Russia today)
2. The Cyrillic Alphabet (writing system still used in Russia today)
IV.
Golden Age of Islam (700AD-1200AD)
a. Shortly after the death of Muhammad (the prophet born in Mecca), Muslim armies swept out of
the Arabian peninsula and conquered vast areas of land that included much of the Middle East,
the northern coast of Africa, and even southern Spain.
b. During this period, the Islamic (or Muslim) world experienced a Golden Age- There were
amazing achievements in math, science, medicine, philosophy, and art.
VII.
The Mongols (1100s-1400s)
d. The Mongols originated as nomads on the steppes (grassy plains) of Central Asia.
e. Genghis Khan is known for uniting the Mongols and training them to be skilled warriors with
excellent horsemanship skills.
f. Under Genghis Khan, the Mongols created largest empire in history, which included China,
Central Asia, Russia and much of the Middle East.
g. Pax Mongolia was a period of Mongolian peace and led to:
i. political stability (people stopped fighting and felt safe)
ii. an increase in trade between Europe and Asia
iii. increased cultural diffusion
h. The Mongol Empire was divided into multiple “Khanates” (areas of land) ruled by Genghis
Khan’s sons but the Mongol Empire eventually fell because it was so large.
i. Influence on Russia:
i. After they conquered Russia, the Mongols kept Russia isolated (removed) from
developments that were taking place in Western Europe.
ii. The Mongols taught the Russians how to have a centralized government- A strong
government with one ruler in firm control.
UNIT 6: FEUDAL JAPAN
I.
Feudal Japan
c. Japan is an archipelago (chain of islands)
d. Japan is extremely mountainous so they adapted to their environment by using terrace farming
e. Cultural diffusion: Early Japan was greatly influenced by contact with China (through Korea) due to
its close location.
f. Belief systems: Shintoism (belief in nature spirits) & Buddhism (spread from China)
g. The Japanese have a true respect for nature; it is a significant theme is most of their art and literature
h. Japanese feudalism
i. Feudalism: a political and social system in which land is exchanged for loyalty and service;
decentralized government; provided stability and order
ii. Emperor was a figurehead with no real power; the Shogun held all real power
iii. Shogun, Daimyo and Samurai were all warriors
iv. Peasants made up the majority of society
v. Japanese Bushido: code of conduct the warriors must follow (similar to a European knight’s
code of chivalry)
vi. Tokugawa Shogunate: the warrior family that ruled Japan from 1303-1863 and was known
for keeping Japan isolated from any contact with the outside world
UNIT 7: RENAISSANCE, SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION, PROTESTANT REFORMATION
I.
II.
III.
Renaissance (1300-1600)
a. Golden age of Western Europe after the Middle Ages and before the modern era
b. Started in Italy because it juts out into the Mediterranean (great place for trade); strong
capitalist economy with a lot of merchants (traders)
c. Printing press: invented by Johannes Gutenberg invented; allowed ideas to spread quickly
d. Humanism- celebrate individuals; focus on worldly/secular issues and not just religion
e. Revival of Ancient Greece and Rome (influenced all of their cultural achievements)
f. Cultural achievements in art, architecture, music, literature, science, philosophy
i. Famous artists: Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello (think ninja turtles)
ii. Famous philosopher/writer: Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince, which explained the
best type of government was to have an absolute ruler and is known for the quotes, “it is
better to be feared than loved” & “the end justifies the means.”
Scientific Revolution (1500s-1600s)
a. People began using science and reason (logic) to explain how the world worked. They
challenged the traditional authority of the church and proved that many church theories were
incorrect.
b. Key scientists: Nicolaus Copernicus- Heliocentric model (sun is center of universe); Galileo
Galilei- proved Copernicus was correct; Sir Isaac Newton- Mathematician and astronomer
c. The new ideas of this period allowed for the Age of Exploration and led to the Enlightenment.
Commercial Revolution (1500s-1600s) T
a. The term Commercial Revolution refers to the new forms of business that were introduced
during the Age of Exploration. These new forms of business included:
i. Joint-stock companies- Investors would combine money to help pay for trading projects.
ii. The expansion (growth) of banking.
iii. Capitalism- Form of business in which profits from one project are reinvested in other
projects in order to make more money.
IV.
Protestant Reformation (1500s)
a. The Protestant Reformation was the religious revolution that challenged the Catholic Church
and led to further division of Christianity
b. Causes of (reasons for) the Protestant Reformation:
i. Europeans were angry that the Catholic Church was too concerned with worldly issues
(i.e. money & power)
ii. Europeans were angry about the selling of indulgences- (church officials had people pay
them to have their sins forgiven)
c. Printing press: invented by Johannes Gutenberg invented; allowed ideas to spread quickly
d. Key leaders:
i. Martin Luther- German monk who nailed his 95 Theses (list of complaints) to the door of
the church. He was must concerned with sale of indulgences. He was excommunicated
(kicked out of the church) because he wouldn’t reform (change).
ii. John Calvin- believed in predestination, which is the idea that God already knows who
will be sent to Heaven or Hell.
iii. Henry VIII- King of England who separated from the Catholic Church because the Pope
would not grant him an annulment from his wife; Act of Supremacy- made Henry the
head of the Anglican Church (Church of England)
e. Effects (results) of the Protestant Reformation
i. Power of the Catholic Church declines
ii. Catholic Counter- Reformation (attempt to regain followers)
1. Council of Trent- church leaders agree to try and end abuses in the church
2. Spanish inquisition- church court set up to put heretics (people who spoke out
against the church) on trial; many were persecuted
3. Missionaries try to spread Catholicism
iii. Queen Mary- (aka: Bloody Mary) Henry VIII’s daughter rules England and kills many
protestants trying make the country Catholic again
iv. Religious unity declines (at this point, there are Catholics and Protestants; in the future
there will be even more Christian denominations)
UNIT 8: AGE OF EXPLORATION & ENCOUNTER
I.
II.
III.
IV.
The Age of Exploration (1400s-1600s) was the period in history when the Europeans began sea
voyages of exploration. During this period, Europeans reached the Americas and began to colonize (take
over) areas in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Causes of (reasons for) the Age of Exploration:
a. Europeans wanted the many goods (like spices & silks) from the East.
b. However, the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire controlled the trade routes over land (& increased
prices) because of their prime location between Asia and Europe.
c. Therefore, Europeans wanted to find new sea routes to Asia.
d. Improvements in navigational (sailing) technology made long sea voyages possible. These
improvements included the compass, astrolabe, & cartography (the science of making maps).
Spain and Portugal were the first countries to lead the way in finding new sea routes.
Effects of the Age of Exploration:
a. Spanish & Portuguese conquistadors conquered the new lands they found in the Americas.
They turned these into their colonies (land owned by their country).
i. Hernan Cortes- conquered the Aztecs & Francisco Pizzaro- conquered the Incas
ii. Although the Europeans had less people, they were successful at conquest because they
had horses and superior technology.
iii. Additionally, millions of natives died of diseases (especially smallpox).
b. Encomienda Systemi. A labor system in which the Spanish forced the Natives to work on the plantations
(growing sugar) and in Spanish mines (getting gold and silver).
ii. Spanish landowners had total control over the Natives and treated them as slaves.
iii. The social hierarchy included the peninsulares & creoles (Spaniards) at the top, then the
mestizos & mulattoes (mixed race), and the natives & Africans at the bottom.
c. Spain became rich through a policy of mercantilism: an economic policy in which colonies exist
solely to benefit the mother country.
i. Colonies sent raw materials to the mother country
ii. The mother country turned it into manufactured goods and sold them for a profit
d. Due to the natives dying from disease and mistreatment, Europeans began importing slaves from
Africa. The journey of slaves across the Atlantic Ocean was known as the “Middle Passage.”
e. Triangular Trade- trade between Africa (slaves) the Americas (raw materials) & Europe
(manufactured goods).
f. Columbian Exchange- This is the term used to describe the exchange of people, plants, animals,
ideas, technology and diseases between the “Old World” (Europe) and the “New World” (North
and South America) that took place as a result of exploration and colonization.
i. The Columbian Exchange is the ultimate example of cultural diffusion (the exchange of
goods and ideas between civilizations).
ii. The European diet greatly changed as a result of learning about the potatoes
UNIT 9: ABSOLUTISM, ENLIGHTENMENT AND POLITICAL REVOLUTIONS
I.
Age of Absolutism (1600s-1700s)
a. The Age of Absolutism was the period in European history when nations were governed (ruled)
by absolute monarchs (Kings/Queens with total control over the people)
i. Considered a centralized government (power was “central” to one person; not shared)
ii. Absolute monarchs believed their power was unlimited and made laws without the
consent of the people. Usually they ruled harshly and instilled fear in the people.
iii. Absolute monarchs believed in divine right (their power to rule came from God)
b. Absolute monarchs:
i. Peter the Great was the absolute monarch of Russia. He is most known for westernizing
Russia (becoming more like Western Europe). He is also known for expanding Russian
territory, modernizing the army and moving the capital to St. Petersburg where he
established a warm-water port.
ii. Louis XIV (the “Sun King”) was the absolute monarch of France. He was known for
saying “L’état c’est moi” (I am the state). He drained the French economy by building
the Palace of Versailles and involving France in a series of costly wars.
iii. Philip II was the absolute monarch of Spain. He gained a lot of wealth from Spain’s
colonies in the America’s. He waged war against the Protestants in England but lost.
(His Spanish Armada (fleet of ships) was destroyed during a storm).
iv. Henry VIII was the absolute monarch of England
v. Suleiman the Magnificent was an absolute monarch of the Ottoman Empire (Muslim
empire that took over the Byzantine Empire). He greatly expanded its territory and
oversaw its golden age. He held complete political and religious power.
II.
Age of Enlightenment (1700s)
a. The Enlightenment was the period in European history when reason (logic) was used to
understand and improve society. In fact, it is often called the “The Age of Reason.”
b. Enlightenment philosophers believed that:
i. society could be improved by using reason (logic) and natural law
ii. Governments receive their power from the people (NOT from God).
iii. The best form of government was a democracy/republic (where the people have a say)
c. The Enlightenment & the Scientific Revolution both encouraged the spread of new ideas and the
use of reason
d. Key people:
i. John Locke- He believed that all people have natural rights (life, liberty and property).
He also believed in consent of the governed (government gets its power from the people)
ii. Montesquieu- He believed in separation of powers and checks and balances to make sure
no one person or group became too powerful
iii. Rousseau- He believed that society is a social contract (an agreement in which all people
agree to work for the common good)
iv. Voltaire- He believed in freedom of speech and freedom of religion
e. Key effects:
i. Since Enlightenment philosophers believed that people can overthrow unfair
governments, the Enlightenment helped cause political revolutions in France, Latin
America, and the United States
III.
The English Revolution/Glorious Revolution (1689)
a. The English Revolution (also called the Glorious Revolution) is the event in which the people
of England successfully limited the power of their monarchs (kings).
b. England’s government became a limited (or constitutional) monarchy- This is a form of
government in which the power of monarchs (kings) is limited (decreased) by written laws.
c. Important documents that limited the King’s power:
i. The Magna Carta (list of rights that limited the King’s power during the Middle Ages)
ii. The Petition of Right (prohibited Charles I from raising taxes without Parliaments OK)
iii. The English Bill of Rights (list of rights Parliament forced William & Mary to agree to
before they were crowned)
IV.
The French Revolution and Napoleon (1789-1815)
a. The French Revolution was the event in which the people of France overthrew their king,
Louis XVI, and fought for more rights.
b. Key causes of (reasons for) the French Revolution:
i. French society was divided into three estates (social classes). The people of the Third
Estate were mostly peasants. They were angry that they had very few rights and paid the
highest taxes (even though they had the least money).
ii. France was ruled by absolute monarchs. The French people believed that these kings
abused their power and denied (took away) the rights of the people.
iii. The ideas of the Enlightenment inspired the French people to overthrow their unfair kings
and to create a new government that protected their rights.
iv. France was in an economic crisis- The kings spent too much money and put France in
debt.
c. Key events of the French Revolution:
i. Storming of the Bastille- Revolutionaries stormed in and dismantled the Bastille, a royal
fortress/prison that represented the abuses of the monarchy.
ii. Declaration of the Rights of Man- This was a document written during the French
Revolution that gave equal rights to the men of France and created a fair system of
taxation.
iii. Reign of Terror- This was an event where the leaders of the French Revolution executed
thousands of people that they believed were loyal to the king. The Jacobins were the
radical (extreme) group leading this event and Robespierre was the leader of the Jacobins.
d. Key effects (results) of the French Revolution:
i. King Louis XVI of France was executed by Robespierre and the Jacobins.
ii. The middle class of France gained more power and rights.
iii. Other nations were inspired to have revolutions of their own
e. Napoleon Bonaparte
i. Napoleon Bonaparte was the ruler who came to power at the end of the French
Revolution.
ii. He expanded (enlarged) French territory by conquering neighboring lands in Europe. By
doing so, he made French people feel nationalism (pride in their country).
iii. He created the Napoleonic Code: a set of laws that included ideas such as “equality
before the law” and religious tolerance.
iv. Napoleon was finally defeated in 1812 because he made a big error (mistake): He
invaded Russia during the winter and the freezing climate (weather) of Russia killed
thousands of his soldiers. The same mistake was later made by Hitler during WWII.