Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment

Concluded that certain mathematical laws govern planetary motions and therefore argued that the planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits.

• Mary Wollstonecraft

• Isaac Newton

• Jean Jacques Rousseau

• Johannes Kepler

A new way of thinking about the natural world that was based upon careful observation and a willingness to question accepted beliefs.

• The Enlightenment

• The Scientific Revolution

• The American Revolution

• The French Revolution

This person believed that all humans were naturally selfish and wicked. He said that without governments to keep order, there would be “war of every man against every man”. He argued that in order to escape such a bleak life, people gave up their rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law and order. He called this agreement the social contract. He promoted absolute monarchies as the best form of government.

• Isaac Newton

• Nicolaus Copernicus

• Francis Bacon

• Thomas Hobbes

Thinkers of this movement hoped to apply reason and the scientific method to all aspects of society—government, religion, economics, and education.

• The Scientific Revolution

• The Enlightenmnet

• The French Revolution

• The American Revolution

This person imagined a large set of books to which all the leading scholars of Europe would contribute articles and essays. This Encyclopedia would bring together all the most current and enlightened thinking about science, technology, art, government, and more.

• Adam Smith

• Denis Diderot

• Montesquieu

• John Locke

This person stated that all people are born free and equal, with three natural rights—life, liberty, and property. He said that the purpose of government is to protect those rights. If a government fails to protect those rights, the people have the right to overthrow the government. His statement that a government’s power comes from the consent of the people is the foundation of modern democracy.

• Mary Wollstonecraft

• Adam Smith

• Denis Diderot

• John Locke

This person wrote The Wealth of Nations. He is considered to be the father of capitalism. He believed that the government should not interfere in the economy and that progress would result when individuals follow their own self-interest.

• Adam Smith

• Mary Wollstonecraft

• Montesquieu

• Isaac Newton

This person published an essay called A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792. This person argued that women, like men, need education to become virtuous and useful. This person argued that education was the key for women to gain equality and freedom.

• Francis Bacon

• Voltaire

• Nicolaus Copernicus

• Mary Wollstonecraft

This person published more than 70 books of political essays, philosophy, history, fiction, and drama. He used satire against his opponents and made very powerful enemies throughout his life. He never stopped fighting for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech.

• Rousseau

• Francis Bacon

• Voltaire

• The Scientific Revolution

This person devoted himself to the study of political liberty. He promoted separation of powers and said that separation would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government.

• Francis Bacon

• Thomas Hobbes

• Rene Descartes

• Montesquieu