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May 22, 1543
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus publishes On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres. Thought that his helipcentric, or sun-centered, conception of the universe offered a more accurate explanation than did the Ptolemaic system. -
Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei publishes Starry Messenger. First European to make regular obervations of the heavens using a telescope. -
Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes writes Discourse on Method. This method emphasized the importance of his own mind. Began writing about the doubt and uncertainty that seemed to be everywhere in the confusion of the 17th century. -
Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton publishes Principia. Newton defined the three laws of motion that govern the planetary bodies, as well as objects on Earth. -
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Reign of Frederick William I
Maderussia a major European power in the 18th century. Also doubled the army size, army was a major conern for him. -
John Locke
John Locke writes Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Argued that every person was born with a tabula rasa, or blank mind. -
he first daily newspaper printed in London
Newspapers were relatively cheap and were provided free in many coffeehouses. -
Hanovers take British crown
Was established when the last Stuart ruler, Queen anne, died without an heir. -
Maria Theresa inherits the Austrian throne
Wroked to centralize and strengthen the state. -
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Reign of Frederick II
He was one of the best educated and most cultured monarchs of the time. Well versed in Enlightment ideas. -
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War of Austrian Succession
Problems began Fredrick the Great of Prussia violated the Pragmatic Sanction and invaded Selica. -
Montesquieu
Publishes The Spirit of the Laws. In this Montesquieu used the scientific method to try to find the natural laws that govern the social and political relationships of human beings. -
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The years in which Diderot published the Encyclopedia
This became a weapon against the Old French society. Many of its articles attacked religious superstition and supported religious toleration. -
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Beginning and end of the Seven Years’ War
Involved all the Euopean powers and caused 900,000 deaths. It envolved European and colonial theaters. -
Rousseau writes Discourse on the Origins of the Inequality of Mankind
Rousseau argued that people had adopted laws and government in order to preserve their private property. -
Rousseau writes The Social Contract
Through this an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will. -
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Catherine the Great rules Russia
She was an intelligent women who was familiar with the works of the philosophes and seemed to favor enlightened reforms. -
voltaire writes Treatise on Toleration
In this he reminded governments that "all men are brothers under God" -
On Crimes and Punishments written by Cesare Beccaria
Beccaria argued that punishments should not exercises in brutality. he opposed capital punishment. -
Stamp Act imposed on colonies
This act required certain printed materials, such as legal documents and newspapers, to carry a stamp showing that a tax had been paid to Britain. -
first Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia
Members urged colonists to "take up arms and organize militias." -
Adam Smith writes The Wealth of Nations
Smith believed that the state should not interfere in economic matters. -
Treaty of Paris signed
recognized the independence of the American colonies. Also granted the Americans control of the western territory. -
Mary Wollstonecraft writes A Vindication of the rights of Woman
Wolllstonecraft identified two problems withe the views of many Enlightenment thinkers. Same people who argued with women must argue with men the same.