The Enlightenment Activity: The Debate of Debate 1. Read the Introduction Information to gain a general understanding of the Enlightenment Era (also called the Age of Reason). 2. Read each of the Activity Cards on the Philosophes of the Enlightenment and complete your graphic organizer on each philosophe and their ideas. 3. Use the information from the cards and visuals to discuss and complete the following questions with your group. a. What is the difference between the “state of nature” and “civil society?” In which would you rather live and why? b. What is the role and responsibility of government, with respect to its citizens, according to Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu? c. How do Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu define liberty? Which philosophe’s definition of liberty do you most agree with? Why? d. What social problems are shown in the three Enlightenment political cartoons? What would EACH of the 4 philosophes say about each of the issues? e. What controversial modern-‐day issues are shown in the current political cartoons? What would EACH of the philosophes say about each of the issues? f. What are the lasting effects of the ideas of the Enlightenment philosophes? How do they impact our thought today? 4. Use the information in your textbook or available online from a reliable source to describe the impact of Mary Woolstonecraft on the Enlightenment period. 5. Summarize the legacy of the Enlightenment period. Why was it important? 6. Complete the Moodle Writing Assignment on the Enlightenment Period as homework. This may be started in class as soon as your group finishes the evaluation of the Activity Cards and completes your Enlightenment Guide. Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Enlightenment Guide
Directions: Complete this guide as you complete the tasks in this group activity. You will need to take as much detail as possible on each philosophe to better complete your notes.
I. Philosophes and their basic ideas Philosophe Belief about the Belief on the Nature of Man Ideal Forms of Government Hobbes Locke Rousseau Montesquieu What is the importance of Mary Wollstonecraft? What is the legacy of the Enlightenment? **Don’t forget to complete the writing assignment on Moodle to complete this activity. Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
GROUP Review Questions: Complete these questions AS A GROUP in your study. 1. What is the difference between the “state of nature” and “civil society?” In which would you rather live and why? 2. What is the role and responsibility of government, with respect to its citizens, according to Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu? 3. How do Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu define liberty? Which philosophe’s definition of liberty do you most agree with? Why? 4. What social problems are shown in the three Enlightenment political cartoons? What would EACH of the 4 philosophes say about each of the issues? Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
5. What controversial modern-‐day issues are shown in the current political cartoons? What would EACH of the philosophes say about each of the issues? 6. What are the lasting effects of the ideas of the Enlightenment philosophes? How do they impact our thought today? II. The Impact of Mary Wollstonecraft on the Enlightenment III. The Legacy of the Enlightenment. Why is it important? **Don’t forget to complete the writing assignment on Moodle to complete this activity. Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Introduction Information of the Enlightenment
During the 1700s, European philosophes thought that people should use reason to free themselves from ignorance and superstition. They believed that people who were “enlightened” by reason could perfect themselves and society. As a result, this period is often called the Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. Among the most prominent of the Enlightenment philosophes were Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-‐Jacques Rousseau, and Baron de Montesquieu. The Enlightenment may be seen as a product of the vast change that took place in Europe during the sixteen and seventeenth centuries, during the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution. These changes produced the social values that permitted the Enlightenment to sweep through Europe in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Enlightenment had its foundation in three new theories about human beings: 1) Individualism stressed the importance of the individual and his rights as a citizen; 2) Relativism consisted of the concept that different ideas, cultures, beliefs, and value systems had equal merit; 3) Rationalism was the conviction that using the power of reason, humans could arrive at truth and make progress toward improving human life. During the 1700s, Enlightenment ideas spread across Europe and the Atlantic to the Americas. Through books and newspapers, in coffeehouses and at informal gatherings, people heard the call for reform. Some of Europe’s rulers even supported Enlightenment ideas, which others saw them as a clear threat to the absolute power they held. In some nations, these “enlightened monarchs” ended serfdom and allowed religious freedom. In the places where the rulers were not so accepting of change, the enlightenment ideas would fuel the fire for change. Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies
Another Michele Luck Creation! More available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Michele-‐Lucks-‐Social-‐Studies