-
Nicolaus Copernicus publishes On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres. Thought that his helipcentric, or sun-centered, conception of the universe offered a more accurate explanation than did the Ptolemaic system.
-
Galileo Galilei publishes Starry Messenger. First European to make regular obervations of the heavens using a telescope.
-
Rene Descartes writes Discourse on Method. This method emphasized the importance of his own mind. Began writing about the doubt and uncertainty that seemed to be everywhere in the confusion of the 17th century.
-
Isaac Newton publishes Principia. Newton defined the three laws of motion that govern the planetary bodies, as well as objects on Earth.
-
Maderussia a major European power in the 18th century. Also doubled the army size, army was a major conern for him.
-
John Locke writes Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Argued that every person was born with a tabula rasa, or blank mind.
-
Newspapers were relatively cheap and were provided free in many coffeehouses.
-
Was established when the last Stuart ruler, Queen anne, died without an heir.
-
Wroked to centralize and strengthen the state.
-
He was one of the best educated and most cultured monarchs of the time. Well versed in Enlightment ideas.
-
Problems began Fredrick the Great of Prussia violated the Pragmatic Sanction and invaded Selica.
-
Publishes The Spirit of the Laws. In this Montesquieu used the scientific method to try to find the natural laws that govern the social and political relationships of human beings.
-
This became a weapon against the Old French society. Many of its articles attacked religious superstition and supported religious toleration.
-
Involved all the Euopean powers and caused 900,000 deaths. It envolved European and colonial theaters.
-
Rousseau argued that people had adopted laws and government in order to preserve their private property.
-
Through this an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will.
-
She was an intelligent women who was familiar with the works of the philosophes and seemed to favor enlightened reforms.
-
In this he reminded governments that "all men are brothers under God"
-
Beccaria argued that punishments should not exercises in brutality. he opposed capital punishment.
-
This act required certain printed materials, such as legal documents and newspapers, to carry a stamp showing that a tax had been paid to Britain.
-
Members urged colonists to "take up arms and organize militias."
-
Smith believed that the state should not interfere in economic matters.
-
recognized the independence of the American colonies. Also granted the Americans control of the western territory.
-
Wolllstonecraft identified two problems withe the views of many Enlightenment thinkers. Same people who argued with women must argue with men the same.