****SS.7.C.1.1 The Enlightenment****

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1 ****SS.7.C.1.1 The Enlightenment**** ****At the end of this lesson, I will be able to do the following: identify and describe the Enlightenment ideas of separation of powers, natural law, and social contract. examine how Enlightenment ideas influenced the Founders beliefs about individual liberties and government. evaluate the influence of Montesquieu s and Locke s ideas on the Founding Fathers. **** Terms I need to know at the end of this lesson. Enlightenment Separation of Powers Natural Law Social Contract Montesquieu John Locke What is the Enlightenment? The Enlightenment was a period of time when people developed new ideas about human existence, including peoples basic rights and the level of control they should have over their government and their futures. The Enlightenment began in Europe around People in cities like Paris gathered to discuss philosophy and ways to improve the human experience. Many of their ideas were based in science, education and reason, which is why this time was also called the Age of Reason. Natural Rights Enlightenment thinker, John Locke, believed that human beings are born with fundamental, basic rights. These natural rights included the right to life, liberty and property. Social Contract If there was no government at all, people would live with no rules and complete freedom but without any protection from each other. Another of Locke s ideas was the social contract: citizens carry out the civic obligations and responsibilities and in exchange the government protects citizens right to life, liberty, and property (natural rights). To Locke, the relationship between a government and its citizens was an implied agreement. Citizens agree to obey or support or agree with a set of rules (obligations) and carry out their responsibilities, and the government agrees to protect citizens rights. Locke also says that if the government fails to protect the rights of the citizens, the citizens can alter or abolish or overthrow that government. ***Key terms to that may help you recognize social contract: Separating Powers... Montesquieu studied the laws, customs, and governments of European countries to see how they created and enforced laws. He admired the government of England. The English government had three parts: a king to enforce laws, Parliament to create laws, and courts to interpret laws. The government was divided into parts, and each part had its own purpose. Montesquieu called this the separation of powers. In the United States, the government is separated into three branches which are legislative, executive and judicial. ***What three things should come to mind when you hear separation of powers Dividing the powers of government was just the first step. Each part of the government needed to be balanced with the other parts. Montesquieu thought that each of the parts, or branches, of government should be equal. He worried that if one branch had more power than the others, people s rights would be violated. To avoid this, he suggested that each branch have the ability to limit the power of the other two branches. Today, we call this the system of checks and balances. Explain checks and balances: 1

2 Venn diagram: Compare and contrast Montesquieu and John Locke Directions: Read the excerpts and answer the questions that follow on the lines provided. Second Treatise of Government, from John Locke s Two Treatises of Government (1690) The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges [compels] every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions... Submitting to the laws of any country, living quietly, and enjoying privileges and protection under them, makes not a man a member of that society.... Nothing can make any man so, but his actually entering into it by positive engagement, and express promise and compact. This is that, which I think, concerning the beginning of political societies, and that consent which makes any one a member of any common-wealth. Finding the Central Idea: What rights does Locke discuss in the first excerpt? Describing According to Locke, what makes someone a member of political societies, or societies with governments? Quote the thinker! Fill in the thought bubble above each Enlightenment thinker with a quote that each thinker might say about how people should be governed. 2

3 SS.7.C.1.1 Enlightenment Ideas What do they look like? 3

4 SS.7.C.1.2 Impact on Government ****At the end of this lesson, I will be able to do the following: identify the important ideas contained in the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and Common Sense. evaluate the impact that the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and Common Sense had on the purposes of government. **** Terms I need to know at the end of this lesson. Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Mayflower Compact Thomas Paine s Common Sense Limited Monarchy Self-Governed Brainpop and page Page Page 87 Page

5 SS.7.C IMPACT on Government NAME and EXPLAIN the impact of each of these documents. 5

6 Enlightenment and Influential Documents Enlightenment ideas: Locke = and Montesquieu = and What three things come to mind when you hear separation of powers: Which Enlightenment ideas and Influential documents influenced the Founding Fathers and how were they influential? Give some terms that might indicate citizens participating in a social contract What does Locke say can happen if the government breaks the social contract and fails to protect citizen s rights? What is another way to say personal freedoms? Influential Documents: How did these documents influence the Founding Fathers? Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights: Mayflower Compact and Common Sense: 6