Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

The Scientific Revolution laid the groundwork for Enlightenment thinkers by promoting skepticism and the use of empirical methods to understand the world. This shift in thinking encouraged intellectuals like John Locke to challenge established beliefs and pursue knowledge through observation and experience rather than solely through tradition or authority. Locke's emphasis on the importance of individual experience and the scientific method is evident in his works, where he argued for the idea of the 'tabula rasa' (blank slate), proposing that knowledge is derived from sensory experience. This approach was revolutionary, as it underscored the potential for human reason and rationality to shape society, politics, and human understanding, rather than relying on inherited ideas or dogmatic teachings. As such, the influence of the Scientific Revolution on Enlightenment thinkers is primarily seen in their advocacy for reason and empirical investigation, which fundamentally changed how people approached knowledge and governance. This paved the way for new political theories about democracy, rights, and the social contract, aligning perfectly with Locke's philosophies that emphasized liberty, equality, and the scientific basis of human understanding.