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Period: 1543 to
Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Revolution was a revolutionary period of time where people were inspired to start challenging traditional authority using factual evidence and reason. With the introduction of the scientific method and different theoretical philosophies, the Scientific Revolution brought about many changes to the natural world and contradicted the government in many different forms. -
Galileo Galilei Supports the Heliocentric Theory
Galileo Galilei's support of the heliocentric theory inspired many people to start opposing traditional authority. His manuscript comparing the church's theory and the heliocentric theory inspired people to look at a new way of thinking, and his ideas carried on to the Age of Enlightenment soon after. -
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The English Civil War
The English Civil War, or English Revolution, made a huge impact on the development of the military and the economy of England. The English Civil War also was a huge factor in inspiring the French to start their own revolution against their own monarchy. -
Hobbes's "Leviathan" is publsihed
The "Leviathan" introduced a new Enlightenment ideal that has made a huge influence on government since the Medieval Ages. The publishing of this manuscript introduced the idea that a monarchy can be justified using the social contract (an agreement to give up individual rights for the greater good of society). -
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Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution officially brought England to shift from absolute monarchy to a more limited monarchy, making England one of the unique countries of Europe for not following the traditional absolute ruling. -
"Two Treatises of Government" is published
John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" painted the picture of what an ideal government should look like, and it reminded people of the values and norms of life. His use of Enlightenment philosophies and ideals inspired many to take a stand against the current form of government, even going as far as to inspire Thomas Jefferson's writing of the Declaration of Independence. -
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The Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment used the methods of the Scientific Revolution to change traditional authority in the political perspective (with government and society instead of the natural world). The Enlightenment philosophies that were created in order to prosper government began the spark of many different revolutions, including the American Revolution and the French Revolution, to name a few. -
Diderot Publishes First Volumes of Encyclopedia
Diderot's publishing of the First Volumes of Encyclopedia allowed people to educate themselves and become confident enough to state their opinions. The First Volumes of Encyclopedia brought people to challenge traditional views and even brought people to question what their own beliefs were. The First Volumes of Encyclopedia eventually inspired the Enlightenment, because the ideas presented about society pushed it to the Enlightenment. -
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Louis XVI’s reign
Louis XVI's reign symbolized the last reign of a monarchy in France. He held the most absolute power in the country, and was generally described as an ineffective ruler due to his neglect for France's financial needs. Due to this, the French Revolution began, eventually leading him to be formally executed via guillotine, and the ideals were affected by the people after they officially overthrew him. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was one of the first battles of the American Revolution, and the first steps to fighting the British empire for America's own independence. As the American Revolution went on and on, these battles inspired and led people to the ideals created during the Enlightenment when trying to make laws for the new nation. -
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American Revolution
Similarly to the French Revolution, the American Revolution was inspired by Enlightenment ideals to try and overthrow the British empire. The success of the American Revolution had brought out the true strength of certain Enlightenment ideals (mainly equality and natural rights). The revolution had ended with America and Britain making peace with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was mainly inspired by Enlightenment ideals. Adopted by the Second Continental Congress, this document described all the rights and equality that they were meant to have, and explained how the Americans were able to break free from the British using the governmental investigations created during the Enlightenment. -
Declaration of Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was the document that brought the social structure and political system of France to be created more equally. Being inspired by the Declaration of Independence, Marquis de Lafayette, and the American Revolution itself, the DOROMAC established the rights of the people and ended aristocratic privileges within France. It also included many of the ideals inspired by the Age of Enlightenment. -
Tennis Court Oath
At the aftermath of the Estates-General Meeting, the members of the 3rd estate broke into a tennis court and vowed to make a constitution for the fair rights of people (mainly men in this case). The Tennis Court Oath represented the end of absolute monarchy in France, but not the end of monarchy entirely (limited monarchy), and showed the unrest of the citizens who were against the reign of King Louis and Marie Antoinette. -
The National Assembly is Formed in France
The formation of the National Assembly was the first step to the beginning of the French Revolution. The National Assembly limited the power of the monarchy, and took away privileges for the clergy and nobility of the First and Second Estates. The National Assembly created an affirmation of equality between the three estates, ultimately protesting against paying taxes and being burdened by the other 2 estates. -
The Bill of Rights was Signed
The Bill of Rights was a document that affirmed the end of tyranny in America, after the rule of King George III. It secured the basic rights of Americans with the original 10 amendments, later being added on with more and more changes and interpretations to the US Constitution. -
Legislative Assembly is formed in France
The Legislative Assembly replaced the National Assembly in France's government and political structure during the French Revolution, when there were different forms of government being tested out in France. The Legislative Assembly paid closer attention to political debate, revolutionary law making, and was later being replaced by the National Convention. -
Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" is published
Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" is one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy seen in history. "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" called for the advancement in women's status and rights through social and political change, and believed that women's capability would ultimately benefit society. -
Execution of Louis XVI
Louis XVI's death brought about one of the main results of the French Revolution. It symbolized the end of absolutism in France, with Marie Antoinette's death marking the full end of monarchy. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was followed to execution 9 months after King Louis XVI was sentenced to death via guillotine. Marie Antoinette's death was a result of her being guilty of treason, and signified the death of monarchy entirely within France, leaving room to make a more democratic form of government driven by Enlightenment ideals. -
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Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror brought about a frightening part of the French Revolution, where many people were killed due to their opposition of the methods of the French Revolution. This time period had contradicted many Enlightenment ideals, as people were often killed and executed without any reason. Maximilian Robespierre was also a major leader of the Reign of Terror, who was basically a dictator for the whole movement. The reign officially ended with Robespierre being executed by the people. -
Napoleon’s coup
Napoleon's coup brought the French people back to the times before the French Revolution, where France was ruled by a dictator with absolute power. The revolution's whole idea of not being controlled under a monarchy was abolished once Napoleon took over France. This event is viewed as the end of the French Revolution, even though it looked like the revolution proved no success in terms of what the French were fighting for.