The Scientific Revolution

Annotations:

• Age of Reason is an era from the 1620s to the 1780s in which cultural and intellectual forces in Western Europe emphasized reason, analysis, and individualism rather than traditional lines of authority.

1. Benevolent despotism*

   Annotations:

   • The word despotism alludes to the fact that they did not allow their populace to intervene or give an opinion on their government policy.
2. 3°The French Revolution
   1. Revolution*

      Annotations:

      • In eighteenth-century France, there was poverty and misery. Life was very difficult for the peasants and workers in France; the lack of hygiene in the towns, the scarcity of food and the nonexistence of workers' rights produced a dismal scene. The difference between the classes was extreme: while the peasants fought to survive, the nobles and high clergy enjoyed numerous privileges. They did not have any taxes and lived surrounded by luxury, comfort, and excesses.
   2. 4°The US Independence
      1. US*

         Annotations:

         • The driving force of the American Revolution was the irritation colonists voiced over the constant taxes that were imposed by the British parliament. As you know, all the economically active inhabitants of a country should pay taxes, but we do it for the benefit of our country. The North Americans were frustrated because they came to the conclusion that the London parliament had no right to impose taxes on them since the Americans were not represented in this legislative body. From this premise, one of the main slogans of the Revolution arose: “No taxation without representation.”