Ms. Simonsen\’s World History Class

censorship: restricting access to ideas and information
salons: informal social gathering at which writers, artists, and philosophes, and others exchanged ideas
enlightened despot: absolute ruler who uses his or her power to bring about political or social change
Frederick the Great: Prussian king who became an enlightened despot and created reforms for a [...]

[Read more]

Enlightenment – “Age of Reason,” desire to acquire knowledge through reason
social contract – an agreement between people (who gave up their freedom) to a powerful government in order to avoid chaos
natural rights – the right of life, liberty, and property
Thomas Hobbes – believed people were [...]

[Read more]

common law – reflected customs and principles over time
feudalism – central governments collapsing into smaller kingdoms
Magna Carta (1215) – English document outlining civil rights and liberties
Parliament – England’s national legislature
divine right – monarchs were chosen by God
constitutional monarchy – powers of a king restricted by written law
English Bill of Rights (1689) – formal summary of [...]

[Read more]

republic – representatives of the people who make government decisions
senate – Patrician branch of Roman government
Assembly of the Plebeians – Plebeian branch of Roman government
dictator – Roman leader who had absolute power only in emergencies
law codes – written law
tribunes –officials elected by Plebeians to protect their interests
veto – power to block a government [...]

[Read more]

democracy – rule by the people
direct democracy – every citizen responsible for making laws
citizen – adult male Athenian
city-state – polis; political unit made up of a city and the surrounding lands
monarchy – rule by queen or king
aristocracy – rule of the rich
philosophy – “love of wisdom”
oligarchy – rule of the few
theocracy – rule of a [...]

[Read more]