Political Changes in the Age of Reason 1600-1700s
During the 1500 and 1600s, most of Europe lived under the rule of absolute monarchies. This meant that everyone believed that one ruler held the divine right of ordained by God and the government had unlimited power. If you were not born into the "right" family, you didn't have much opportunity for a better life because everyone lived under the feudal system. During the 1600s, England went through some major changes beginning when King Charles I signed The Petition of Right giving more power to Parliament and the people, but then ignored it. This led to the English Civil war, the Restoration, and then the Glorious Revolution, where the people actually DID receive more rights and some representation in Parliament. The Scientific Revolution and The Enlightenment also contributed to more limited government in Europe by taking power away from the Catholic Church and spreading ideas about natural rights given to ALL people, not just aristocrats. As people began to explore, settle, and colonize around the world, these new ideas of human rights and individual freedom spread leading to many government changes and a new middle class of people who were no longer dependent on absolute monarchies.
Political Changes in the Age of Reason Vocabulary: ISN p. 31
Scientific Revolution
