2-2: Impact of the

Enlightenment

Many American colonists accepted the Enlightenment ideas that people

have natural rights.

Anticipatory Set

Recall how the Great Awakening influenced the

American colonists’ ideas about government.

California StandardsSocial Studies Standard 7.11.4:

Explain how the main ideas of the Enlightenment can be traced back to such movements as the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution and to the Scientific Revolution and the Greeks, Romans, and Christianity.

Social Studies Standard 7.11.5: Describe how democratic thought and institutions were influenced by Enlightenment thinkers.

Inputenlightened: free from the

superstitions and ignorance of the Middle Ages.

absolute monarch: a ruler with complete authority over the government and people.

divine right: the belief that a ruler’s authority comes directly from God.

Inputnatural rights: rights that belong to

every human being from birth.separation of powers: division of

the power of government into separate branches.

Input & ModelingRoots of the Enlightenment

Enlightenment thinkers believed that scientists should use reason, observation, and experiments in their studies.During the Renaissance, Europeans gained a

new interest in the ideas of Greece and Rome.

The ideal “Renaissance person” was someone with a broad knowledge of many subjects.

New emphasis was placed on the individual.

Input & ModelingRoots of the Enlightenment

The Scientific RevolutionDuring the 1500s, European scientists

used reason, observation, and experiments to find out about the natural world.

Astronomers challenged the teachings of the Church that the Earth was the center of the universe.

Input & ModelingRoots of the Enlightenment

The Scientific Revolution Scientists backed up their ideas by mathematical

calculations and observations. By the 1600s, scientists were making discoveries in

many areas, from chemistry to medicine. The English scientist Isaac Newton discovered the

laws of gravity, explaining why objects fell to Earth when dropped.

Newton also developed the theory that gravity held the universe together.

Input & ModelingApplying Reason to Politics

John Locke concluded that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. At the time of the Enlightenment, most

European countries were ruled by absolute monarchs that claimed to have divine right.

The rights of the people came to them from the monarch.

In 1690, the English philosopher John Locke proposed that people have certain natural rights that belong to them from birth (life, liberty, and property).

Input & ModelingApplying Reason to Politics

John Locke concluded that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Locke argued that people formed

governments in order to protect their rights. If government is to protect the rights of the

people, a monarch who violates these rights can be overthrown.

Input & ModelingApplying Reason to Politics

Baron de Montesquieu suggested that government should be divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. In 1748, he argued that the powers of

government should be clearly defined and limited.

Montesquieu favored the separation of powers to prevent any individual or group from becoming too powerful.

Input & ModelingApplying Reason to Politics

Baron de Montesquieu suggested that government should be divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. His division of power became the basis of the

government of the United States.1. A legislative branch to make laws2. An executive branch to enforce

laws3. A judicial branch to make

judgments based on the laws

Input & ModelingEnlightenment Ideas Spread

By the 1770s, most educated colonists believed that they were born with natural rights. Educated people gathered to discuss the latest

developments in science, politics, and the arts. Printing presses churned out books and pamphlets

that were read by many levels of society. Government and church officials tried to restrict the

spread of ideas that threatened their power. Colonists like Benjamin Franklin supported

Enlightenment ideas on human liberty by founding one of the first antislavery societies.

By the 1770s, what did most educated colonists believe there were born with?natural rights

What did John Locke say people had the rights to?life, liberty,

property

Check forUnderstanding

Answer #4, 5,& 6

Guided Practice

Independent PracticeFinish the worksheet.

HOMEWORK EXTENSION

Write a detailed SUMMARY of the section and complete the UNANSWERED QUESTIONS section of your notes.

Choose two of the remaining Depth & Complexity ICONS in your notes and explain how they relate to this section.