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300 BCE
Aristotle explained the geocentric theory.
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100
Ptolemy supported the geocentric theory.
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1543
Nicolaus Copernicus reasoned the heliocentric theory.
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1543
Andreas Vesalius published On the Fabric of the Human Body - detailing dissection of human bodies.
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Zacharias Janssen invented the microscope.
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The Baroque Period began in art, music, and architecture.
Composers included Bach and Handel. -
Johannes Kepler published the first two laws of planetary motion.
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William Harvey showed that the heart acted as a pump to circulate blood throughout the body.
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Francis Bacon published Novum Organum which encouraged the experimental method.
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Galileo was put under house arrest by an Inquisition for supporting Copernicus's theory.
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Rene Descartes published Discourse on Method which set forth his reasoning.
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Galileo developed the law of the pendulum.
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Evangelista Torricelli developed the first mercury barometer.
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Thomas Hobbes pubished Leviathan - a social contract.
People give up rights to a strong ruler who maintains order. -
Robert Boyle created Boyle's law.
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John Locke explained his theory of "natural rights".
The Natural Rights include life, liberty and property. -
Anton van Leeuwenhoek saw red blood cells for the first time.
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Isaac Newton published his law of gravity.
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Mary Astell wrote A Serious Proposal to the Ladies - addressing the lack of education opportunities for women.
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Gabriel Fahrenheit made the first thermometer to use mercury in glass
32 degrees = freezing; 212 degrees = boiling -
Francois-Marie Arouet changing his name to Voltaire and goes on to champion individual freedoms.
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Emilie du Chatalet (a mathematician and physicist) translated Newton's work from Latin into French.
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The enlightened despot, Frederick II, began his rule of Prussia.
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Anders Celsius created a scale for the mercury thermometer.
0 degrees = freezing; 100 degrees= boiling -
Denis Diderot published the first volume of the Encyclopedia - a collection of enlightened thinkers works.
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Montesquieu published On the Spirit of Laws - detailing separation of powers in government.
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Marie-Therese Geoffrin held her first salon of philosophes.
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The Classical Period began in art, music, and architecture.
Composers include Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. -
The enlightened despot, Catherine the Great, began her rule of Russia.
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Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote The Social Contract - free individuals create a society and government
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Cesare Beccaria published On Crimes and Punishments - railing against common abuses of justice.
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Joseph Priestly discovered Oxygen.
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Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
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Antoine Lavoisier discovered and named gas oxygen.
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The enlightened despot, Joseph II, began his rule of Austria.
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The U.S. enacted the Constitution - establishing a federal system, separation of powers, checks and balances.
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The U.S. Congress added the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) to the Constitution.
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Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women - promoting women's education as virtuous.
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Edward Jenner introduced a vaccine to prevent small pox.
