Standard 10.2.1 The Enlightenment and
Democratic Revolution
Compare the major ideas
of philosophers and their
effects on the democratic
revolutions in England,
the United States, and
France.
Vocabulary Terms for Standard
10.2.1
1. Enlightenment- an 18th century European movement in which
thinkers attempted to apply the principles of reason and the
scientific method to all aspects of life.
2. Natural Rights- Rights people are born with
3. Revolution- To radical and complete change to in political
organization
4. Separation of Powers- government in which the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches placed limits and control on
each other
5. Social Contract- an agreement among a whole society that it
would be governed by a general will/what is best for the entire
community.
6. Branches of Government- government divided into two or more
branches placing limits and control on each other.
Summary of the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment, an intellectual
movement that spread from Europe to
America in the 1700’s, helped inspire
democratic revolutions in Europe, the
United States, and Latin America. Key
enlightenment writers included Locke,
Montesquieu, and Rousseau.
John Locke: England (Slide 1)
John Locke (August 29, English
philosopher. Locke is considered
the first of the British Empiricists,
but is equally important 1632
October 28, 1704) was an to social
contract theory. His ideas had
enormous influence on the
development of epistemology and
political philosophy, and he is
widely regarded as one of the most
influential Enlightenment thinkers
and contributors to liberal theory.
His writings influenced Voltaire and
Rousseau, many Scottish
Enlightenment thinkers, as well as
the American revolutionaries. This
influence is reflected in the
American Declaration of
Independence.
John Locke: England (Slide 2)
Thomas Jefferson
the Declaration of
Independence
John Locke’s Ideas and Influences
1. People have natural rights to life, liberty,
and the ownership of property.
2. People form governments to protect
these rights. Therefore, a government
gets its authority form the people and
should reflect their will.
Influence: Locke’s ideas influenced
Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the
Declaration of Independence, the basis of
the American Revolution. It Stated that
people have natural “unalienable rights”
and that a government derives its power
from the people
Charles-Louis Montesquieu: France
(Slide 1)
Montesquieu born on (January 18,
1689 in Bordeaux – February 10,
1755),more commonly known as
Montesquieu, was a French social
commentator and political thinker who
lived during the Enlightenment. He is
famous for his articulation of the
theory of separation of powers, taken
for granted in modern discussions of
government and implemented in many
constitutions throughout the world.
He was largely responsible for the
popularization of the terms feudalism
and Byzantine Empire
Charles-Louis Montesquieu
Charles-Louis Montesquieu: France (Slide 2)
James Madison
U.S. Constitution
Charles-Louis Montesquieu’s Ideas and Influences
1. Government should be kept under control
through separation of powers-a divisions
into independent parts so that no part has
too much power.
2. A way to guarantee balance is to have three
branches of government:
• a legislative branch to make laws;
• an executive branch to carry out and enforce
laws;
• a judicial branch to interpret the laws;
Influence: Montesquieu’s ideas influence
James Madison, Sometimes called the father of
the U.S. Constitution because of his
contributions
at the 1787 Constitutional
c
Convention. The Constitution Separate powers
into three branches
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: France
(Slide 1)
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau, (June 28,
1712 – July 2, 1778) was a Genevan
philosopher of the Enlightenment
whose political ideas influenced the
French Revolution, the development
of socialist theory, and the growth of
nationalism. Perhaps Rousseau's
most important work is The Social
Contract, which outlines the basis
for a legitimate political order.
Published in 1762, it became one of
the most influential works of political
philosophy in the Western tradition.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: France
(Slide 2)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Ideas and
Influences
1. A social contract exists between citizens
and their government. In this contract,
citizens accept certain rights and
responsibilities, and grant the
government the power to uphold those
rights and responsibilities
Influence: The ideas of Locke and Rousseau
influenced Latin American revolutionary
leader Simon Bolivar. Bolivar fought to
liberate his country, present-day
Venezuela, from Spanish rule. He also led
movements for independence and
democracy in what are now the nations of
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and
Peru.
Standard 10.2.1The Enlightenment and Democratic
Revolution Practice Questions 1 and 2
__1. The European intellectual movement that emphasized the
responsibility of government to protect people's natural
rights was called
A. Glorious Revolution
B. Reformation
C. Enlightenment
D. Great Awakening
__2. The phrase “natural rights” is original to and central to the
writings of which philosopher?
A. John Locke
B. Charles-Louis Montesquieu
C. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
D. James Madison
Standard 10.2.1The Enlightenment and
Democratic Revolution Practice Questions 3
and 4
___3. The Declaration of Independence expresses the philosophy
that the power of government comes from
A. God
B. the people
C. natural rights
D. the Constitution
___4. Which statement best summarizes the role of government in
the social contract?
A. Its basis is the rights and responsibilities of the people.
B. Its has legislative, executive, and judicial responsibilities.
C. It guarantees life, liberty, and the ownership of property.
D. Its main purpose is to interpret laws.
Standard 10.2.1The Enlightenment and Democratic
Revolution Practice Questions 5 and 6
___5. What principle is directly reflected in the division of a
government into three branches?
A. natural laws
B. separation of powers
C. the social contract
D. democracy and independence
___6. The ideas of Locke and Rousseau influenced Simon
Bolivar in his commitment to
A. maintain the peaceful rule of the Spanish king.
B. urge the Venezuelan government to separate into three
branches
C. negotiate a social contract between Spain and Latin
America.
D. fight for democratic revolution in Latin America.
Key and Grading Scale for Standard 10.2.1 The
Enlightenment
•
•
•
•
•
•
Key
1= C
2= A
3= B
4= A
5= B
6= D
Number Grade
Correct
Points
6
A
10
5
B
08
4
C
07
3
D
06
2
F
05
1
F
05