1.
Bourgeoisie: the middle class of society
2.
Checks and balances: a political system that keeps from one branch of government from abusing its power and keeping branches equal
3.
Constitutional monarchy: a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution
4.
Coup d'etat: a sudden over throw of the government
5.
Despotism: the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way
6.
Divine Right: the belief that kings received their power from God and are responsible only to God
7.
Enlightenment: intellectual movement during the 1700s that promoted democratic ideas.
8.
John Locke: Enlightenment thinker that promoted natural rights and the idea that people are allowed to rebel if the government does not provide these rights and freedoms.
9.
Laissez-faire: literally "let people do what they want" the concept that the state should not impose government regulations but should leave the economy alone.
10.
Louis XVI: a French King that believed in divine right and absolute monarchy until the time of the French Revolution.
11.
Montesquieu: Enlightenment thinker that believed in the separation of powers of governments rather than having one group holding all the power.
12.
Napoleon: French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution
13.
Nationalism: unique cultural identity of a people based on common language, religion, and national symbols, a love for one's country
14.
Natural Rights: rights with which all humans are supposedly born, including the rights to life, liberty, and property
15.
Parliament: a representative body or legislative government that makes political decisions and writes laws.
16.
philosophes: intellectuals, writers, journalists, economics, and social reformers that used reason to solve social problems during the Enlightenment.
17.
Rousseau: Enlightenment thinker that coined the term "social contract" where people within a society must abide by laws in order for the community to live in harmony.
18.
Separation of powers: a form of government in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches limit and control each other through a system of checks and balances.
19.
Simon Bolivar: Venezuelan military and political leader who fought for freedom in South America against the Spanish Empire
20.
Social contract: the concept proposed by Rousseau that an entire society agrees to be governed by it's general will; and all individuals should be forced to abide by the general will since it represents what is best for the entire community.
21.
Taille: French for the "chief tax"
22.
Voltaire: Enlightenment thinker who promoted civil liberties such as freedom of religion and speech
