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Birth of Isaac Neton
Isaac Newton was a major contributor to early Enlightenment thought. His works such as "Optiks" and "Principa Mathematica" were used a basis for many Enlightenment thinkers beliefs. -
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The Enlightenment
This timeline features a list of major events during the Age of Enlightenment. -
John Locke publishes Two Treatises of Government
John Locke's work revolutionized beliefs in civil government. The treatises heavily supported a legislative form of government. In the work Locke also stated that he believed humans in their natural state are reasonable beings. -
Voltaire publishes 'Letters Concerning the English Nation"
Voltaire was one of the three major Philosophes during his time. In this book he discusses why he admires the English political government. -
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Frederick the Great Rules Prussia
Frederick the Great was an Enlightened despot from Prussia. Under him, Prussia became a powerful military state with a good public education system and lots of religious toleration. -
First volume of the Encyclopedie is published
The Encyclopedie was a culmination of the Enlightenment beliefs and ideas created during the time. The Encyclopedie gave more individuals much easier access to a wide range of information. -
"Discourse on Inequality"
Rousseau was another of the three major philosophes during the Enlightenment. He was highly anti-feminist and showed this during his 'Discourse on Inequality'. -
Voltaire writes Candide
Candide was a popular literary work during the Enlightenment. It tells the story of Candide and was meant primarily to entertain, although it did have some deeper meaning behind it. -
Rousseau publishes the 'Social Contract'
The 'Social Contract' was a revolutionary Enlightenment work by Rousseau. It explained that government had power through a contract between the people and that the government should be an instrument of the general will. -
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Catherine the Great rules in Russia
Catherine the Great was another of the Enlightened Despots and was the only ruler to be in power and involved in all three Partitions of Poland. Catherine was a very harsh ruler, but still attempted to put some of the ideals of the Enlightenment in place. -
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American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War was the first more modern war. The war showed the rest of the world that a governed people are able to successfully rebel against their governing body. This revolution can be considered to have inspired the French Revolution a few years later. -
Adam Smith publishes Wealth of Nations
Smith's seminal work argued heavily for international free trade. By 1800 the book had been translated into every language in Western Europe except for Portugese -
'Vindication of the Rights of Women'
Mary Wollstoncraft's 'Vindication of the Rights of Women' was a key piece of literature that influenced first-wave feminism. Her writings greatly inspired the suffragettes in later centuries and modern feminists today.