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Isaac Newton connects the ideas of Galileo and Kepler
Two ideas that were once considered completely different things were brought together. Newton was able to fully explain the ideas of Galileo and Kepler which improved the scientific world. -
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The Great Awakening
John Wesley and George Whitfield reformed social aspects of the Church of England. Believe that everyone could have their own relationship with God. Helped the poor and the imprisoned and preached in the streets. -
David Hume publishes An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals
Hume discusses the idea that ideas are created by impressions. He was a major skeptic -
Denis Diderot edits the Encyclopedie
Although there had been Encyclopedies before, this was the first one to reach a broad audience. Many philosophers contributed to the publication of the Encyclopedie. -
Social Contract was written by Rousseau
Rousseau explained his ideas about how a contract should be between people and not people and the government. This was a new way of thinking about government that threatened monarchs. -
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Tsarina Catherine the Great's reign
Catherine the Great is often considered one of the greatest monarchs in the history of Russia. She was a big supported of the Enlightenment, and corresponded with many of the great thinkers of the time period. She introduced a library full of Denis Diderot's books. -
American Revolution begins
The first shots of the American Revolution are fired at Concord and Lexington. America is rebelling against Great Britain. -
Thomas Paine published Common Sense
Common Sense laid out the principles for the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. Thomas Paine talked about freedom, equality, and the fact that a continent should not be ruled by an island. -
Declaration of Independence
The American colonies officially declare independence from Great Britain. This event shows that a monarchy is not necessary for a country to govern smoothly. -
Adam Smith wrote Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith was an economist. He didn't believe in the mercantilism system. He believed that if you wanted to build up an empire, you had to build up your wealth. He realized that the American colonies would become independent if Great Britain didn't change some of it's trading policies. He is considered the Father of Economics.