Unit 2: Enlightenment and Revolutions

By bradleylew
  • 1789 BCE

    National Assembly is Formed in France

    The National Assembly represents the Third Estate, and their actions to create a Constitution to reform their state shows that they want a change in French society.
  • Period: 1543 to

    Scientific Revolution

    The significance of the Scientific Revolution is that it is when people challenge traditional beliefs. They use reason to figure out if it is true or not.

  • Galileo Galilei Supports the Heliocentric Theory

    The significance of Galileo Galilei supporting the Heliocentric Theory is that he challenged the authority of the Church. Before this, no one would ever dare to challenge the Church because they would be punished.
  • Period: to

    English Civil War

    The significance of the English Civil War was that it limited the power of the monarch. No monarch would be able to rule without the consent of Parliament.

  • Hobbes "Leviathan" is Published

    The significance of Hobbes "Leviathan" is that it goes over the structure of society and government. It also was one of the first things to bring up Enlightenment ideals. His book is one of the earliest examples of social contract.
  • Period: to

    Glorious Revolution

    The significance of the Glorious Revolution is that the permanently established Parliament as the ruling power of England. It represented a shift from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

  • Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is Published

    The significance of Locke's Two Treatises of Government is that he challenges traditional authority(divine right) and that he includes Enlightenment ideals(state of nature; social contract)
  • Period: to

    Enlightenment

    The Enlightenment was where people used reason to challenge traditional authority and beliefs. Its ideas were inspired by the Scientific Revolution and aided revolutionists in the French Revolution.

  • Diderot Publishes First Volumes of Encyclopedia

    The significance of Diderot's Encyclopedia was that this main goal was for people to understand more. It represented Enlightenment thought.
  • Period: to

    Louis XVI's Reign

    The significance of Louis XVI's Reign is that signifies a weak ruler with no leadership qualities that rule France through his divine right from God.

  • Lexington and Concord

    The significance of the Battles of Lexington and Concord was that it was the start of the American Revolutionary War. This relates it shows how Americans wanted a change, and to disunite for Britain.
  • Period: to

    American Revolution

    The significance of the American Revolution is that it separated America from Great Britain.

  • Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence shows how the Americans broke off from Britain by themselves. This is like how the National Convention wrote their own Constitution and limited the power of the monarchy without the King's approval.

  • Tennis Court Oath

    The significance of the Tennis Court Oath is that the Third Estate would not let anything hold them back from getting equally respected as people in the First and Second Estates, not even having to work on a tennis court.

  • Declaration of Rights of Man

    The significance of the DOROMAC is that the people of the Third Estate showed their rights. This opposed traditional belief because the rigidity of the Estates System limited their powers.

  • Legislative Assembly is Formed in France

    The formation of the Legislative Assembly is significant because it was formed under the Constitution of 1791, which created a constitutional monarchy with Louis XVI. This greatly limited the power of the monarchy.

  • Bill of Rights is Signed

    The significance of the signing of the Bill of Rights is that it was guaranteed rights to the people of America. This shows the Enlightenment ideal of Equality because people are all the same.

  • Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" is Published

    The significance of the publishing of Wollstonecrafts, "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" is that it showed the capabilities of women. They were not just house-dwellers who did chores from day-to-day. They were more than that.

  • Execution of Louis XVI

    The significance of the execution of Louis XVI was that it was the end of the ancien regime. With the head of the monarchy dead, divine right was also gone.
  • Period: to

    Reign of Terror

    The significance of the Reign of Terror is that it is part of the French Revolution, where Enlightenment ideals are heavily supported. However, in this part, these ideals are abandoned, because Robespierre is beheading everyone, and everyone is scared that they could be next if they don't support the revolution 100%.

  • Execution of Marie Antoinette

    The significance of the execution of Marie Antoinette was that it proved that the French people were willing to get rid of any resemblance of the past of the monarchy they had, even if it meant killing an important figure of another country.

  • Napoleon's Coup

    The significance of Napoleon's Coup is that it represents the end of the French Revolution. Napoleon brought a long-sought order to France, even though he was a dictator.