AP European History Flashcards: Causation in the Age of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How did the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment challenge the existing European order?
These movements challenged the established order by applying reason and observation to question traditional understandings of the world, including political and social structures.
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How did the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment challenge the existing European order?
These movements challenged the established order by applying reason and observation to question traditional understandings of the world, including political and social structures.
To what new fields were the concepts of the Scientific Revolution applied during the Enlightenment?
Enlightenment thinkers applied Scientific Revolution concepts and practices to analyze and critique political, social, and ethical issues.
Define the core change in worldview prompted by the Scientific Revolution.
Europeans' view of their world changed due to a renewed focus on observing the natural world and rediscovering classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome.
Beyond intellectual shifts, what other types of changes shaped everyday life during this era?
The experiences of everyday life were also significantly shaped by demographic, environmental, medical, and technological changes.
Was the new emphasis on reason during this period universally accepted?
No, the increased emphasis on reason was not unchallenged, indicating that there was resistance to these new ways of thinking.
What was the primary intellectual trend that grew in European culture due to the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment?
These movements led to an increased emphasis on reason in European culture as a primary tool for understanding the world and society.
How did the Enlightenment build upon the ideas of the Scientific Revolution?
The Enlightenment applied the concepts and practices of the Scientific Revolution, such as reason and observation, to political, social, and ethical issues.
How did technological changes impact the lives of ordinary people in this period?
Along with other factors, technological changes directly shaped the experiences of everyday life for the general population.
What were two primary drivers that changed Europeans' worldview leading into the Scientific Revolution?
The rediscovery of works from ancient Greece and Rome, combined with a new emphasis on the direct observation of the natural world, changed many Europeans' view of their world.
What was the relationship between observation and reason in the Scientific Revolution?
The observation of the natural world provided the empirical evidence that, when analyzed with reason, challenged traditional understandings of the world.