17th And 18th Centuries Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is 17th And 18th Centuries?
The 17th and 18th centuries were a period of great change and progress in the Western world. This was an age of revolutions, technological advances, and social reform that affected all aspects of life. From philosophy to science to art, the Enlightenment era saw tremendous growth in knowledge, industry, and culture. In politics, the 17th century saw the rise of absolute monarchs in Europe who wielded absolute power over their subjects. In England, the Glorious Revolution (1688-89) brought an end to absolutism when Parliament forced King James II to give up his throne to William III and Mary II. This ushered in a period of constitutional monarchy that restricted the power of kings while protecting citizens’ rights. The 18th century was a time of sweeping social reforms as well as political turmoil. In France, the reigns of Louis XIV through Louis XVI brought about many changes such as abolishing feudalism and establishing religious toleration throughout France. The American Revolution (1775-83) also occurred during this time which led to independence from Britain for its 13 colonies. During this time both Europe and America saw massive changes in government organization due to these revolutions which helped shape our modern democracies today. In science, there were major advances made during this period including Isaac Newton’s groundbreaking discoveries on gravity and laws of motion (1687). These discoveries revolutionized physics by providing a framework for understanding how objects interact with each other something we still use today. Additionally medical breakthroughs such as Edward Jenner’s vaccinations for smallpox (1796) helped save countless lives from diseases that had once been fatal before then. In philosophy too there were huge changes made during this age most notably by John Locke who developed theories on liberty and human rights based on his belief that all people are born equal with natural rights that should not be violated by government or anyone else (1690). His ideas became instrumental in forming many democratic constitutions worldwide today. Finally art flourished during these two centuries with pieces created by famous painters such as Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch), Johannes Vermeer (Dutch), Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish), Caravaggio (Italian) among others gaining international recognition during their lifetimes as well as posthumously since then. Their works have become timeless classics that endure even centuries later.