1. The Enlightenment US History

2. Learning Target and Objectives Objective - Evaluate the influence of Enlightenment ideas on the development of American government as embodied in the Declaration of Independence Learning Target – I will identify ideas of early enlightenment thinkers.

3. I. The Enlightenment A.What? 1.A movement during the 18 th century in which European thinkers set out to enlighten their fellow citizens. 2.New ideas on religion, government, and citizenship emerged. 3.These ideas would significantly influence the founders of the United States.

4. I. The Enlightenment B.Goal 1.The goal of most enlightenment thinkers was to convince fellow citizens that they could use human reason to combat ignorance, superstition, and tyranny. 2.They hoped to promote the idea of free will.

5. I. The Enlightenment C.Thinkers 1.Rene Descartes A. Believed that everything could be solved with math and science. B.Skepticism – questioning established thought 1. I think therefore I am

6. I. The Enlightenment C.Thinkers 2.Voltaire A.Advocate of civil liberties 1. Freedom of Religion, Expression, Social Reform and Separation of Church and State B.Prolific writer

7. I. The Enlightenment C.Thinkers 3.Jean Jacques Rousseau 1.Social Contract Theory A.Basis for republicanism B.Citizens agree to give up SOME rights in return they shall receive protection from the government.

8. I. The Enlightenment C.Thinkers 4.Baron de Montesquieu 1.Separation of Powers A. Government should be divided into specific jobs and work together to protect the rights of the people.

9. I. The Enlightenment C.Thinkers 5.Thomas Hobbes A.Wrote the Leviathan 1. The necessity of a strong central government.

10. I. The Enlightenment C.Thinkers 6.John Locke 1.Father of classic liberalism 2.Natural Rights A.Life B.Liberty C.Property