Expectations

Definition

Expectations refer to the beliefs or assumptions that individuals or societies hold regarding the future, particularly about political, social, and economic outcomes. These beliefs can shape actions and policies and are influenced by historical context, cultural values, and emerging ideas. They play a crucial role in shaping both individual behaviors and broader societal trends, often leading to significant changes during transformative periods.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Enlightenment, expectations regarding governance shifted from absolute monarchy to ideas of democracy and individual rights, as thinkers like Locke and Rousseau promoted social contracts.
2. In the Age of Exploration, European powers had expectations of acquiring wealth and resources through colonization, leading to competition and conflict over territories.
3. Absolutist rulers maintained high expectations for loyalty from their subjects while enforcing strict social hierarchies and centralized control to ensure stability.
4. The expectations of citizens for better governance grew during periods of Enlightenment thought, contributing to revolutions that challenged existing monarchies.
5. Economic expectations shaped colonial policies during the Age of Exploration, with nations anticipating profits from new trade routes and resources found in colonized lands.

Review Questions

• How did Enlightenment thinkers reshape societal expectations regarding government and individual rights?
  • Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau challenged traditional views on governance by proposing that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. They emphasized individual rights and freedoms, leading to new expectations for representative government instead of absolute rule. This shift in thought encouraged people to demand more accountability from their rulers and fostered revolutionary ideas that ultimately reshaped political landscapes in Europe.
• Discuss how expectations influenced European powers' actions during the Age of Exploration.
  • European powers held high expectations of wealth and resources from their overseas colonies during the Age of Exploration. These expectations drove countries like Spain, Portugal, England, and France to invest heavily in exploration and colonization efforts. The belief in mercantilism fueled competition among these nations, resulting in conflicts as they sought to claim territories rich in resources. Expectations of economic gain led not only to exploration but also to significant impacts on indigenous populations through conquest and colonization.
• Evaluate the relationship between absolutist approaches to power and the expectations placed on rulers by their subjects.
  • Absolutist rulers expected unwavering loyalty from their subjects while enforcing centralized authority. This expectation often conflicted with rising public demands for representation and rights during periods influenced by Enlightenment thinking. As subjects began to expect more accountability and responsiveness from their monarchs, tensions increased, leading to challenges against absolutist rule. The struggle between these opposing expectations ultimately contributed to revolutions that transformed political systems across Europe.

Related terms

Social Contract: A philosophical theory suggesting that individuals consent to form a society and government based on mutual agreements about rights and responsibilities.

Mercantilism: An economic theory prevalent during the Age of Exploration, where nations sought to accumulate wealth through trade, colonization, and the establishment of favorable balances of trade.

Divine Right of Kings: The political doctrine asserting that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, which was used to justify absolute rule and the lack of accountability to the populace.