The Enlightenment Bellringer re-quiz: SS.7.C.1.1-1.2 Name:
A Time of New Ideas
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. TheEnlightenment began in Europe around 1715. People in cities like Paris gathered in salons to discuss philosophy and ways to improve the human experience. Many of their ideas were based in science and reason, which is why this time was also called the Age of Reason.
Natural Rights
Enlightenment thinkers believed that human beings are born with fundamental, basic rights. These natural rights included the right to life, liberty, property, and the freedom to find happiness. In order for people to enjoy these natural rights, other rights needed to be protected. Enlightenment thinkers believed people should have the right to express themselves, to move around freely, and to petition the government.
The Social Contract
If there was no government at all, people would live in a state of naturewith no rules and complete freedom—but without any protection fromeach other. One Enlightenment idea was the social contract: citizens give up some freedom they would have in a state of nature (like the freedom to rob and kill people), and in exchange the government protects citizens’ right to life, liberty, and property. To Enlightenment thinkers, therelationship between a government and its citizens was like an agreement. Citizens agree to obey a set of rules, and the government agrees to protect citizens’ rights.
Consent of the Governed
Enlightenment thinkers believed that governments had a responsibility to hold up their end of the social contract. If a government failed, then citizens would no longer agree to be governed and they would have the right to revolt. This idea is known as consent of the governed. Traditionally, a government protected citizens from foreign invaders, but the government also had absolute authority over the people. A king ruled his citizens whether they consented or not. To Enlightenment thinkers, thiswas unacceptable.
Influence on America
The brightest Enlightenment thinkers, with names like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Locke, became very famous. They influenced leaders in Europe, and became popular with Americans who wanted independence. When our Founding Fathers created a government for the new United States, they embraced many Enlightenment ideas. America’s Constitution recognized that citizens were born with basic rights. And even though some of the Founders agreed with those concerned about democracy, theConstitution gave citizens the power to vote. The Enlightenment ended around 1789, about the same time the Constitution was born.
LA.1.7.2 Author’s purpose:
1. The author wrote this article on the Enlightenment in order tob. Persuade up that the Enlightenment was important.c. Explain the important ideas of the Enlightenment.d. Amuse us with interesting facts about the Enlightenment.e. Tell us a fictional story set during the Enlightenment. | LA.7.2.2.1 text features
2. If you look at the headings, you can tell that this article is arranged bya. Cause and effectb. Chronology (time order)c. Important ideas about the topicd. Steps in a process |
LA.7.1.7.3 determining main idea through inferring, summarizing, paraphrasing or identifying relevant details.
3. The main idea of this article is thata. Enlightenment thinkers were leaders of Europe.b. People deserve to have natural rights.c. The Enlightenment was also called the Age of Reason.d. The American government was influenced by Enlightenment ideas. |
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