Enlightenment, American Revolution 1700-1800
History

A French philosopher and writer best known for contribution to the Encyclopédie
Diderot
A French philosopher and writer best known for contribution to the Encyclopdie. Diderot. He was a key figure in the Enlightenment, helping to spread revolutionary ideas through his work on the comprehensive Encyclopdie.

An authoritarian leader who were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment
Enlightened despot
An authoritarian leader who were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment. Enlightened despot. An enlightened despot is a ruler who holds absolute power but uses it to promote reforms and ideas from the Enlightenment, such as education and justice.

A federation of states with a republican form of government
Federal republic
A federation of states with a republican form of government. Federal republic. A federal republic is a country where multiple states combine under a central government, yet each retains some independence, like the United States.

Where transactions between private parties are free from any form of government intervention
Laissez-faire
Where transactions between private parties are free from any form of government intervention. Laissez-faire. Laissez-faire is an economic policy that promotes minimal government involvement in the economy, allowing businesses to operate with little regulation.

The idea that there are forms of law that exist by themselves
Natural law
The idea that there are forms of law that exist by themselves. Natural law. In history, natural law refers to the belief that certain rights and moral values are inherent and universally understandable through human reason, independent of laws made by humans.

The authority of a government is created and sustained by its people through elected representatives
Popular sovereignty
The authority of a government is created and sustained by its people through elected representatives. Popular sovereignty. In history, popular sovereignty means that the power of a government comes from the consent of the people it governs.

An agreement between the people of a state and the government of a state
Social contract
An agreement between the people of a state and the government of a state. Social contract. In history, a social contract is an idea that people give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and order.

A tax on the British colonies that required printed materials be produced on stamped paper from London
Stamp Act
A tax on the British colonies that required printed materials be produced on stamped paper from London. Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was a 1765 law by Britain taxing paper goods in American colonies, sparking protest.

An English philosopher, one of the founders of modern political philosophy
Thomas Hobbes
An English philosopher, one of the founders of modern political philosophy. Thomas Hobbes. He is best known for his idea that a strong central authority is necessary to prevent chaos and maintain order in society.

An agreement to end the war between Britain and its American colonies - 1783
Treaty of Paris
An agreement to end the war between Britain and its American colonies - 1783. Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States.

One of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia
Yorktown Virginia
One of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia. Yorktown, Virginia. Yorktown is famously known as the site of the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War, where British forces surrendered to George Washington in 1781.