The Enlightenment and the Revolutions Scientific Revolution Nicolaus

The Enlightenment and the Revolutions

Scientific Revolution �Nicolaus Copernicus �Galileo Galilei �Heliocentric theory �Built his own telescope �The sun is at the center of and studied the heavens. �Church was upset at Galilei's findings �Isaac Newton �Law of Universal gravitation the universe and other planets revolve around it. �His findings marked the beginning of modern understanding about the universe

The Enlightenment in Europe �A new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of the individual �Enlightenment Thinkers or Philosophers �John Locke: English Philosopher �People were born with natural rights that included life, liberty, and property. �Jean Jacques Rousseau: Published the Social Contract; the only good government was one formed by the people and guided by the general will of society

The Revolutions � English Revolution � Conflict between the King of England the British Parliament � Led to the overthrow and execution of King Charles 1 � English Bill of Rights: Increased the powers of parliament and limits the power of the King � American Revolution � Based on many ideas of the Enlightenment like natural rights and the idea that a social contract exists between governments and citizens � American colonists claimed that British parliament had too much power by taxing them without representation � Colonies declared their independence in 1776

French Revolution � Political: � inspired by American Revolution � Third Estate wanted greater representation � Economic � Inflation and famine caused problems � Peasants made little money but paid high taxes � Social � Enlightenment ideas of equality and liberty spread

Haitian Revolution � Educated slave named Toussaint L’ Overture became leader � Causes � Political: � Inspired by French Revolution; political ideas spread to Saint Dominique colony � Economic: � Black slaves rebelled against white masters; � Lower classes worked as slaves with little or no income � Social: Slaves and lower classes had little status