The Enlightenment - AP European History

1. Which work is Denis Diderot famous for?

   Encyclopédie. A comprehensive collection of knowledge compiled with d'Alembert.

2. What does the term 'Philosophes' refer to?

   Enlightenment intellectuals. French term for the intellectual leaders of the movement.

3. What did Rousseau believe about society?

   Society corrupts innate goodness. Famous for saying 'Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.'

4. Who was a major Enlightenment figure in economics?

   Adam Smith. Developed theories of free markets and division of labor.

5. What is Deism?

   Belief in a rational God who created the universe. Rejected organized religion while maintaining belief in divine creator.

6. What did Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' advocate for?

   Free-market economics. Introduced the concept of the 'invisible hand' in economics.

7. What did Voltaire advocate for?

   Freedom of speech and religion. Championed tolerance and fought against religious persecution.

8. What is Enlightenment despotism?

   Monarchs embracing Enlightenment ideas while maintaining power. Rulers like Frederick the Great and Catherine II implemented some reforms.

9. What did John Locke believe about human nature?

   Humans are rational and capable of self-improvement. Rejected the idea of original sin, emphasized experience over innate ideas.

10. What did the Enlightenment criticize?

    Tradition and authority. Questioned established institutions in favor of rational inquiry.

11. Who wrote 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'?

    Mary Wollstonecraft. Argued for women's equal access to education and political rights.

12. What is 'natural law' in the context of the Enlightenment?

    Universal principles governing human conduct. Discoverable through reason, forming the basis of human rights.

13. What was the Enlightenment's view on education?

    Advocated for widespread education. Believed knowledge and reason could improve society.

14. What did Enlightenment thinkers think about tradition?

    Challenged traditional authority. Promoted critical thinking over accepting inherited beliefs.

15. What was the Enlightenment?

    An intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism. Emerged in 18th-century Europe, challenging traditional authority.

16. What did Beccaria argue for in 'On Crimes and Punishments'?

    Reform of the criminal justice system. Opposed torture and capital punishment, favored rehabilitation.

17. What is the main idea of John Locke's 'Two Treatises of Government'?

    Natural rights and government's role to protect them. Argued people have inherent rights that governments must protect.

18. What did the Enlightenment emphasize in science?

    Reason and empirical evidence. Promoted scientific method and observation over religious authority.

19. What did Enlightenment thinkers prioritize in government?

    Consent of the governed. Rejected divine right of kings in favor of popular sovereignty.

20. What was Rousseau's view on education?

    Education should develop natural instincts. Outlined in 'Emile,' emphasized natural development over formal instruction.

21. What was Montesquieu's key contribution to political theory?

    Separation of powers. Proposed dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

22. What is the significance of the Enlightenment in history?

    Foundation for modern Western thought. Established principles of individual rights and democratic government.

23. What was the purpose of the Encyclopédie?

    To gather and disseminate knowledge. Aimed to compile all human knowledge in accessible format.

24. Which Enlightenment thinker wrote 'The Social Contract'?

    Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Outlined his theory of legitimate political authority and democracy.

25. What is Immanuel Kant's famous motto associated with the Enlightenment?

    Sapere aude (Dare to know). Encouraged intellectual courage and independent thinking.

26. What is the main theme of Kant's 'Critique of Pure Reason'?

    Limits of human understanding. Explored what human reason can and cannot determine about reality.

27. Which monarch is known as an enlightened despot?

    Catherine the Great. Russian empress who corresponded with Voltaire and implemented some reforms.

28. What concept did Rousseau introduce in his writings?

    General will. The collective will of the people as the basis of legitimate government.

29. What was the impact of Enlightenment on art?

    Rise of neoclassicism. Emphasized classical Greek and Roman ideals of beauty and order.

30. What was the Enlightenment's impact on religion?

    Promoted secularism and criticized organized religion. Questioned religious dogma and promoted rational approaches to faith.

31. What role did salons play during the Enlightenment?

    Centers for intellectual exchange. Hosted by educated women, they fostered philosophical discussion.

32. Which Enlightenment figure is known for 'Candide'?

    Voltaire. Satirical novel critiquing optimistic philosophy and social institutions.

33. What was the Enlightenment's impact on politics?

    Promoted ideas of democracy and liberty. Laid intellectual groundwork for constitutional government and individual rights.

34. What did Thomas Hobbes argue in 'Leviathan'?

    Need for a strong central authority. Believed life without government would be 'nasty, brutish, and short.'

35. What is the Enlightenment's legacy?

    Inspiration for democratic revolutions. Ideas influenced the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence.

36. What did David Hume contribute to philosophy?

    Empiricism and skepticism. Questioned the reliability of human knowledge and causation.

37. What did the Enlightenment thinkers believe about progress?

    Human society could improve through reason. Optimistic view that rational thinking could solve social problems.

38. What is 'tabula rasa' in Locke's theory?

    The mind is a blank slate at birth. Locke's theory that experience shapes all knowledge and personality.

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