The world's largest Christian church and among the oldest institutions in the world. Catholic tradition holds that the church was founded in the Roman Empire by Jesus of Nazareth in the first century.

(1483 – 1546) A German monk who was disgusted by the corruption in the Catholic Church, especially the selling of indulgences. He set out to reform Catholicism with his Ninety-Five Theses, but he ended up creating a new sect called Lutheranism.

(1300s – mid-1600s) A period in European history that saw a revival of interest in classical Greek and Roman culture and scholarship. The name is taken from a French word meaning "rebirth."

(mid-1700s – early 1900s) Period during which significant technological developments caused the economy to shift dramatically from being agricultural and artisan-based to relying on manufactured products. It began in Great Britain and spread throughout the world.

A period of European economic growth, colonialism, and mercantilism in the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s. It included the growth of financial services, such as banking, and the development of new economic theories. It allowed European nations to manage the finances of global trade networks.

(ca. 1500s – 1700s) A fundamental change in the way people studied the natural world. The new scientific ideas were based on observation, evidence, and reason.

A method of quickly creating numerous, cheap copies of an item.

A society's economic shift away from an agricultural economy to one based on manufacturing using advanced technology.

The process of developing a hypothesis about the natural world, recording evidence, and drawing rational conclusions from the findings.

(1473 – 1543) A Polish astronomer who defied the Catholic Church by publicizing his theory that the sun, not the Earth, is at the center of the solar system.

(1564 – 1642) The Italian astronomer who defended and expanded on Copernicus's teachings that the Sun is the center of the solar system. He was found guilty of violating religious law and forced to deny his findings publicly.

(1642 – 1727) The British mathematician and physicist who developed the theory of gravity, which he published in the book Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. He is considered one of the most influential scientists of all time.

A period during the 1700s marked by an emphasis on rationality and reason in philosophy, government, and science. Many of these ideas inspired later revolutionary movements, especially in the United States and France.

A political and religious doctrine, originating in medieval Europe, that gives kings political legitimacy by claiming that their right to rule comes directly from the will of God.

(1588 – 1679) An English philosopher whose theory of the social contract calls for an all-powerful government that restrains people's worst impulses.

(1632 – 1704) An English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights and that if a leader fails to protect those rights, the people can remove that leader and choose another. These ideas directly affected political revolutions of the late 1700s.

(1689 – 1755) A French political philosopher who introduced the idea of separation of powers in government. His ideas are considered part of the Enlightenment.

An actual or a hypothetical agreement between the ruled and their rulers.

The right of the citizens of a country to control that country's politics.