1. Foundations of a New Nation
Lesson 1: The Age of Enlightenment— Why Do We Have Government?

2. STUDENTS WILL LEARN . . .
Colonists believed the role of government was to protect their rights—not to take them away!!
This belief was a product of The Enlightenment

3. Topic: The Age of Enlightenment—Why Do We Have Government?
Main Ideas What was the Age of Enlightenment?
Details/Facts An intellectual movement in Europe that spread to British colonies in mid-1700’s. Influenced colonial leaders-Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, etc. appealed to wealthy, educated men principles of science & reasoning (“natural laws) were discovered ex: Isaac Newton & law of gravity

4. John Locke— wrote of “natural laws” of human society
Details/Facts
John Locke— wrote of “natural laws” of human society
John Locke stated the natural rights of people = life, liberty & property
Government is created by people to protect their natural rights = social contract theory
(not a monarchy created by authority of a central religion/church)
Limited government : government has restrictions (must follow the laws of the land; gov. does not have unlimited power)
Main Ideas What was “natural rights” theory? What is the role of government?

5. STUDENTS WILL LEARN . . .
Colonists believed the role of government was to protect their rights—not to take them away!!
This belief was a product of The Enlightenment