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Isaac Newton
Newton outlined his law of gravity in the 1687 book Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy) -
Deism
Deism is a broad set of ideas believing that the life of religion and reason could be combined. -
Scientific Revolution
Copernicus theorized that the movements of the planets were not going around Earth, but revolve around the sun. -
Baron de Montesquieu
Montesquieu lived comfortably in French society, but saw a need for reform. He argued for a division of powers. His thoughts were when too much power is rested in one body they always became corrupt. He suggested Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of government. -
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Frederick II of Prussia
Won the war of Austrian Succession
Pushed religious toleration. Improved roads, built more roads and reformed public education. -
Jean-Jaques Rousseau
Rousseau believed that in the process of civilization and the Enlightenment had corrupted human nature. He complained about individualism, he believed that people should come together equally. Also, he believed that the government should be a social contract. -
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Seven Years' War
Also known as the French and Indian War
Britain and Prussia vs. France, Austria, Russia, and Sweden
Prussia had permanently taken Silesia from Austria
The French suffered a great financial loss -
Marquis Cesare Beccaria
An Italian Aristocrat wanted to do away with capital punishment. He believed that punishment shoud be effective and just. -
Period: to
Joseph II of Austria
Wanted to make German the official language.
Wanted to institute taxes on Aristocrats as well as middle class.
He attempted to weaken the Magyars and free serfs indebted to Aristocrats. -
Adam Smith
Regarded as the founder of laissez-faire economic thought and policy, which favors a limited role for the government in economic life. Smith is the founder of Capitalism. -
Catherine the Great, Emporess of Russia
In 1785 Catherine issued the Charter of Nobility, which guarenteed nobles many right and privelages. In 1783 she was made protector of the Orthodox Christians living in the Ottoman Empire. She had her husband murdered so she could reign. Also, she outlawed torture and expanded territory. -
Period: to
The French Revolutiion
A Revolution that marked the beginning of a new political order in France and throughout the West. Challenging the existence of Roman Catholic faith and Christianity. Resulting in millions of casualties. -
King Louis XVI
Louis XVI summoned the Estates General
The Estates General had not met since 1614 -
The Estates General
Approved doubling the Third Estate membership -
The Third Estate
Declares itself the National Assembly -
Flight of the Royal family
June 20-24 King Louis XVI and his family attempt to flee France and are stopped at Verennes.
He is called a traitor and arrested.
Louis XVI is tried and convicted. -
Execution of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI is executed for treason. -
France Declares war on Great Britain
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The Committee of Public Safety is formed
A 12 man executive body to make laws -
Maximillion Robespierre
joins the Committee of Public Safety.
Becomes head of the group.
Reinstates the old regime.
Believes that terror with a cause leads to virtue. -
The Law of 22 Prairial is adopted
If someone accuses you of treason you are tried and convicted. -
Execution of Robespierre
Robespierre is shot in the face, then arrested.
He is tried, but he could not speak at trial.
He was executed. -
Directory Established
5 man executive body
Hated by Conservatives and Liberals. -
Napoleon Boneparte's coup d'etat
Overthrows the Directory -
Napolenonic Code Issued
Safeguards all forms of property and to secure French society against internal challenges.
Workers' organizations remained forbidden.
Fathers were granted extensive control over their children and husbands over their wives.
Married women needed their husbands' consent to dispose of their own property.
Divorce was more difficult for women than men.
The eldest son no longer inherited all of his parents property, it was to be divided among all children. -
Napoleon is crowned Emporer
Napoleon invited Pope Pius VII to Notre Dame to take part in the coronation, but later convinced the pope that the Emporer should crown himself.
Napoleon would not allow anyone to think his power and authority depended on the church. -
Battle of Trafalgar
British admiral Lord Nelson destroyed the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar off the Spanish Coast.
Nelson died in the battle but the British lost no ships.
This exposed French vulnerablility.
This was proof that the French would not be able to invade Britain. -
Battle of Austerlitz
Napoleon defeated the combined Austrian and Russian forces at Austerlitz.
The Treaty of Pressburg followed
The Austrians withdrew from Italy and left Napoleon in control of everything north of Rome. -
Treaty of Tilsit
Tsar Alexander I of Russian and Napoleon meet on the Niemen River and sign the treaty.
Russia secretly becomes an ally of Napoleon. -
Battle at Bordino
Napoleon and the French army invade Russia.
The Russians retreated before his advance because they were outnumbered.
Napoleon had over 600,000 Frenchmen and 400,000 other soldiers ready to fight.
Alexander had 160,000 troops.
Napoleon underestimated the Russian's willingness to sacrifice Moscow.
The Russians burned Moscow to the ground.
Without Moscow Napoleon had no shelter or rations.
Napoleons army could not handle the cold winter of Russia
Napoleon lost over 500,000 soldiers in Russia. -
Napoleon Arrested
Worn down due to weather and no rations, Napoleon returned to Paris was captured and arrested.
Napoleon was abdicated and exiled to the island of Elba, off the coast of Italy. -
Period: to
The Congress of Vienna
All victors agreed that no single state should be allowed to dominate Europe, and they were determined to never allow France to do so again. -
Napoleon Returns from Elba
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Battle of Waterloo
Arthur Wellsley, Duke of Wellington chose Waterloo in Belgium for his battle with Napoleon.
Wellington's defense hid behind the ridgeline to surprise the French guard.
When they rose, the guard turned and ran.
Napoleon surrendered and once again exiled. -
Napoleon Boneparte Dies
Napoleon dies on Saint Helena, a tiny Atlantic island off the coast of Africa.
