Revolutions Scientific, Enlightenment, American, French Study Guide revolution: a change or overthrow of a government, social institution, way of thinking, etc. Scientific Revolution (1600-1800)
Observation, hypothesis, test, conclusion = Scientific law if holds true
Rene Descartes – scientific method
Truth reached through reason and logic, “I think therefore I am”
Isaac Newton
Laws of Gravity, physics, laws of motion, calculus
Enlightenment (1600s to 1800s)
Rapid advancements in science led other philosophers to challenge ideas in politics, economics, & society
Led to changes in governments in many countries as people questioned the authority of Absolute Monarchs = many countries change to Constitutional Monarchies
IDEAS
Divine Right of Kings – Monarchs get their power directly from God and that power can’t be challenged
Social Contract – an agreement between the government and the people
Natural Law – a moral code that applied to everyone, including kings
Natural Rights – rights belonging to all humans from birth including life, liberty, property
Life – no one should harm another person
Liberty – the right to be free to act or believe in something without being stopped by force
Property – no one should harm another person’s possessions
Philosophers
Hobbes
Idea of social contract; man is selfish and needs government
People do not have the right to rebel against their government
Ideal form of government = Absolute Monarchy
John Locke
Idea of a social contract between the government and citizens
Natural rights and limited government
People can overthrow their government!
Montesquieu
Power should be equally divided among the branches of government – legislative, judicial, executive