Question

modern world vocabulary review #1 – due friday 9/11
a. unit 1 reference sheet – write the complete definition of the following terms.
reign of terror:

*natural rights:

absolute monarchy:

**social contract

**saint domingue:

*jean-jacques dessalines:

b. *must-know images – label the “must-know” images found in the front of your course reader!

Explanation:

Part A: Definitions of Terms

1. Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror was a period during the French Revolution (1793–1794) when the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, used extreme measures (including executions by guillotine) to suppress counter - revolutionary activities and enforce revolutionary ideals. Thousands of people, both real and perceived enemies of the revolution, were executed.

2. *natural rights

Natural rights are fundamental rights that are believed to be inherent to all human beings, regardless of law, custom, or belief. They are often considered to include the rights to life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness, as in some formulations). Philosophers like John Locke were influential in developing the concept of natural rights, arguing that these rights exist in a state of nature and are not granted by governments.

3. absolute monarchy

An absolute monarchy is a form of government in which a single ruler (a monarch, such as a king or queen) has unrestricted power over the state. The monarch’s authority is not limited by a constitution, laws, or other governing bodies (like a parliament). The king or queen has complete control over the political, social, and economic affairs of the country, as seen in the rule of Louis XIV of France.

4. **social contract

The social contract is a philosophical concept (developed by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean - Jacques Rousseau) that explains the origin of government and the relationship between a state and its citizens. It posits that individuals voluntarily give up some of their natural freedoms to a government (or a sovereign) in exchange for protection of their remaining rights and the maintenance of order in society.

5. **Saint Domingue

Saint Domingue was a French colony in the Caribbean, located on the western part of the island of Hispaniola (the present - day country of Haiti). It was one of the most profitable colonies in the world due to its sugar, coffee, and slave - based plantation economy. The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) began in Saint Domingue, leading to the establishment of Haiti as an independent nation.

6. *Jean - Jacques Dessalines

Jean - Jacques Dessalines was a key leader in the Haitian Revolution. After the revolution, he became the first ruler of independent Haiti. He played a crucial role in defeating the French forces and ending slavery in the colony, and he declared Haiti’s independence in 1804.

Part B: Labeling the Images

• First Image (Figure with Royal Attire): This is likely a portrait of Louis XIV (the “Sun King”), who was an absolute monarch of France. His elaborate royal attire and pose are characteristic of his reign, during which he centralized power in the monarchy.
• Second Image (Guillotine): The guillotine was a device used for executions during the French Revolution, most notably during the Reign of Terror. It became a symbol of the revolutionary government’s use of capital punishment to enforce its will.
• Third Image (Portrait of a Woman): This could be a portrait of Marie - Antoinette, the queen of France during the French Revolution. She was executed during the Reign of Terror, and her image is associated with the excesses of the French monarchy before the revolution.

(Note: For the written - response part of the original assignment, students would be expected to write these definitions and labels in the provided spaces.)

Answer:

Part A: Definitions of Terms

1. Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror was a period during the French Revolution (1793–1794) when the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, used extreme measures (including executions by guillotine) to suppress counter - revolutionary activities and enforce revolutionary ideals. Thousands of people, both real and perceived enemies of the revolution, were executed.

2. *natural rights

Natural rights are fundamental rights that are believed to be inherent to all human beings, regardless of law, custom, or belief. They are often considered to include the rights to life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness, as in some formulations). Philosophers like John Locke were influential in developing the concept of natural rights, arguing that these rights exist in a state of nature and are not granted by governments.

3. absolute monarchy

An absolute monarchy is a form of government in which a single ruler (a monarch, such as a king or queen) has unrestricted power over the state. The monarch’s authority is not limited by a constitution, laws, or other governing bodies (like a parliament). The king or queen has complete control over the political, social, and economic affairs of the country, as seen in the rule of Louis XIV of France.

4. **social contract

The social contract is a philosophical concept (developed by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean - Jacques Rousseau) that explains the origin of government and the relationship between a state and its citizens. It posits that individuals voluntarily give up some of their natural freedoms to a government (or a sovereign) in exchange for protection of their remaining rights and the maintenance of order in society.

5. **Saint Domingue

Saint Domingue was a French colony in the Caribbean, located on the western part of the island of Hispaniola (the present - day country of Haiti). It was one of the most profitable colonies in the world due to its sugar, coffee, and slave - based plantation economy. The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) began in Saint Domingue, leading to the establishment of Haiti as an independent nation.

6. *Jean - Jacques Dessalines

Jean - Jacques Dessalines was a key leader in the Haitian Revolution. After the revolution, he became the first ruler of independent Haiti. He played a crucial role in defeating the French forces and ending slavery in the colony, and he declared Haiti’s independence in 1804.

Part B: Labeling the Images

• First Image (Figure with Royal Attire): This is likely a portrait of Louis XIV (the “Sun King”), who was an absolute monarch of France. His elaborate royal attire and pose are characteristic of his reign, during which he centralized power in the monarchy.
• Second Image (Guillotine): The guillotine was a device used for executions during the French Revolution, most notably during the Reign of Terror. It became a symbol of the revolutionary government’s use of capital punishment to enforce its will.
• Third Image (Portrait of a Woman): This could be a portrait of Marie - Antoinette, the queen of France during the French Revolution. She was executed during the Reign of Terror, and her image is associated with the excesses of the French monarchy before the revolution.

(Note: For the written - response part of the original assignment, students would be expected to write these definitions and labels in the provided spaces.)