Scientific Revolution, Absolutism & Enlightenment Cheat Sheet
Scientific Revolution
Sir Isaac Newton, Bacon, Galileo and Johannes Kepler are all directly associated with the Scientific Revolution
●Knowledge should be based on experimentation and observation (Empiricism)
●Bacon: Scientific method was used to solve problems
●Kepler: Planets travel in ellipses and move faster as they approach the sun
●Newton: Gravity, Laws of Motion, Calculus
●Copernicus—Heliocentric model of universe
●Galileo—
●Agreed with Copernicus’ heliocentric model
●Invented first telescope
●Recanted (took back) his scientific beliefs because he feared that the Church might
excommunicate him
Absolutism—A system of government where a ruler has complete control over the lives of the people
●Divine right theory—belief that kings and queens had been given their power from God
○This theory is similar to the term “Mandate of Heaven” used by dynastic rulers in China to justify their
political power.
●Absolute monarchs sought (wanted) to centralize and maintain absolute power
●Absolute rulers determined government policies without the consent of their people
●Machiavelli believed that a wise ruler is one who does what is necessary to stay in power
●Monarchs gain power and Nobles lose power
Example of Absolute Rule in Europe:
France
●The Sun King—Louis XIV—“I am the State” (Best example of Absolute Power—strong monarchy with the
king firmly in charge)
oHas a large network of spies
oDecreased the power of the nobles
oSpends a lot of money-uses power for the good of the monarchy
▪Builds palace of Versailles
▪Enters many wars that he can’t win
Enlightenment
An intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of the individual to solve problems
• Hobbes 1588-1679
oLeviathan
oHumans are naturally selfish, wicked, and need a strong gov’t to maintain order
oBelieves Absolute Monarchy is best form of gov’t/Supports Autocratic ideas
• Locke 1632-1704
oTwo Treatises on Government
oPurpose of gov’t is to protect natural rights—Life, Liberty, Property
oAll humans naturally good and capable of governing themselves
• Gov’t power comes from the people/“consent of the governed”
• Montesquieu 1689-1755
oSpirit of Laws
oSeparation of Powers
• Voltaire 1694-1788
oCandide
Satire of church & gov’t
o“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”
oChampions free speech, freedom of religion & tolerance (against religious fanaticism)
