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Period: 1543 to
Scientific Revolution
The period saw a fundamental transformation in scientific ideas across mathematics, physics, astronomy, and biology in institutions supporting scientific investigation and in the more widely held picture of the universe. The Scientific Revolution led to the establishment of several modern sciences. -
Galileo Galilei Supports the Heliocentric Theory
In 1632, Galileo Galilei published the book, Dialogue Concerning the Two Cheif World Systems. In it, he highlighted the reasoning behind the heliocentric theory of the world, in contrast to that of the geocentric theory, in which he proved that the former made much more sense. By publishing this book, he went against the commands of the church to let the public know the truth. -
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English Civil War
The war had ended the notion of the divine right of kings and laid the groundwork for the modern UK parliament and monarchy. -
Hobbes’s Leviathan is Published
The Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes was regarded as the earliest and most influential examples of the social contract. This was impactful as it created an important Enlightenment ideal that was used in many future governments. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was a movement in England that established the Parliament as its ruling power and represented a shift from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. This is significant as it created an example for countries to come in the future, most notably France. -
Locke’s Two Treatises on Government is Published
Locke rejects the idea of the divine right of kings, supports the idea of natural rights, and argues for a limited constitutional government that would protect individual rights. These basic ideas are reflected in future governments. -
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Enlightenment
Enlightenment thinkers in Britain, in France and throughout Europe questioned traditional authority and embraced the notion that humanity could be improved through rational change. The Enlightenment produced numerous books, essays, inventions, scientific discoveries, laws, wars and revolutions. -
Diderot Publishes First Volumes of Encyclopedia
The goal of the Encyclopedia was to change the way people think and for them to be able to inform themselves. This allowed people to look things up for themselves, instead of relying on information that they heard. -
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Louis XVI's Reign
Louis XVI was the last Bourbon king of France who was executed in 1793 for treason. In 1770 he married Austrian archduchess Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I. After a slew of governing missteps, Louis XVI brought the French Revolution crashing down upon himself. -
Lexington and Concord
The battle of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the American Revolution. The British Army sent out troops to capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams. -
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American Revolution
The American Revolution—also called the U.S. War of Independence—was the insurrection fought between 1775 and 1783 through which 13 of Great Britain's North American colonies threw off British rule to establish the sovereign United States of America, founded with the Declaration of Independence in 1776. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence displayed the goals of the new American country, listed grievances against the British king, and contained the arguments the colonists used to explain why they should be free of British rule. -
National Assembly is formed in France
The National Assembly played a major role in the French Revolution. It represented the common people of France and demanded that the king make economic reforms to ensure that the people had food to eat. -
Declaration of Rights of Man
The Declaration of Rights of Man outlined the civil rights given to commoners and laid out a new government for French citizens to live by. This was significant, as it effectively got rid of the absolute monarchy in France. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was significant because it showed the growing unrest against Louis XVI and laid the foundation for later events, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the storming of the Bastille. -
Bill of Rights Signed
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments guarantee essential rights and civil liberties, such as the right to free speech and the right to bear arms, as well as reserving rights to the people and the states. These rights were reflected in other governments around the world, as they granted citizens basic freedoms. -
Legislative Assembly is formed in France
The Legislative Assembly was significant as it was formed under the Constitution of 1791, which created a constitutional monarchy with Louis XVI as the head of state. -
Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women is Published
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman was a trailblazing feminist work that argues that the educational system deliberately trained women to be frivolous and incapable and that if girls were allowed the same advantages as boys, women would be not only exceptional wives and mothers but also capable workers. This was impactful, as it demanded equality for women as well. -
Execution of Louis XVI
One day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and sentenced to death by the French National Convention, King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris -
Execution of Marrie Antoinette
A month into the infamous and bloody Reign of Terror that claimed tens of thousands of French lives, Marie Antoinette was put on trial for treason and theft, as well as a false and disturbing charge of sexual abuse against her own son. -
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Reign of Terror
Reign of Terror lasted from September 1793 until the fall of Robespierre in 1794. Its purpose was to purge France of enemies of the Revolution and protect the country from foreign invaders. -
Napoleon’s Coup
The coup d'état that overthrew the system of government under the Directory in France and substituted the Consulate, making way for the despotism of Napoleon Bonaparte. The event is often viewed as the effective end of the French Revolution.