the groups in positions of authority, such as the Church or monarchy, are known collectively as the establishment

a philosopher is someone who studies deep questions about the universe and human existence

the Enlightenment was a movement in the 1600s and 1700s that promoted the use of reason and questioned authority

atheism is the belief that God or gods do not exist

the belief that someone has the right to rule and make laws is known as legitimacy

The background to the Enlightenment

History

Enlightenment ideas: science and politics

The American Revolution and Enlightenment ideas

Enlightenment ideas and the causes of the French Revolution

The impact of the French Revolution in the Atlantic world

The Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution

In this unit, pupils learnt about the Enlightenment and its emphasis on reason, science and progress. This foundation will be crucial in ‘The Industrial Revolution: did industrialisation revolutionise people's lives?’, where pupils will examine how the intellectual shifts of the Enlightenment contributed to the dramatic changes brought about by industrialisation.

In ‘The Renaissance: what do the artefacts of the Renaissance tell us about it?’, pupils explored how Renaissance art and culture reflected new ways of thinking. Building on this, this unit introduces the Enlightenment, where pupils will examine how ideas of reason and progress further shaped European thought.

In this unit, pupils learn about the Enlightenment and its impact on America, France, and the Atlantic World. They develop knowledge of the Enlightenment's background and ideas and consider its links to the 'Age of Revolution'.

The Enlightenment: what was the Enlightenment?

a social contract is an agreement that rulers should govern in a way that benefits the people in exchange for having power over them

when one group has total control over an area of business or trade, this is known as a monopoly

a paradox is when a statement or idea appears to contradict itself

colonialism involves taking control of another country and taking advantage of its resources and people

a colony is an area under the control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country

settlers are people who have arrived to live in a new area of land

the basic principles or laws which govern a country are known collectively as a constitution

the Ancien Régime was the name for the political and social system in France before the Revolution, ruled by the monarch: King Louis XVI

the taille was a land tax paid in France by peasants and non-nobles before the Revolution, and was not paid by clergy or nobility

an Estates-General was an emergency meeting of people from all areas of French society that the king could call to advise him

a republic is a country without a king or queen.

the ability of a monarch to do as they please without having to answer to anyone for their actions is known as absolute power

a revolution is the forcible overthrow of a government, a great or complete change

a republic is a country without a king or queen

in this lesson, absolute refers to a monarch's absolute power meaning they don’t have to answer to anyone for their action

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The Enlightenment: what was the Enlightenment?

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