Enlightenment thinkers
This English philosopher wrote that people have natural rights to "life, liberty, and property" and that government should protect these rights.
John Locke
The Enlightenment idea that people are born with certain basic rights that the government must protect is called what?
Natural rights
The idea that power should be divided among different branches of government is called __________.
separation of powers
The idea that the American government should have separate branches (legislative, executive, judicial) comes from Enlightenment thinking about __________.
separation of powers
A system where one person (a king or queen) rules and power is inherited is called a __________.
monarchy
A system where a single ruler has complete control and citizens have few rights is called a __________.
dictatorship or autocracy
This French thinker wrote about the separation of powers into branches of government to prevent any one group from gaining too much power.
Montesquieu
The belief that government derives its power from the consent of the governed is called the principle of __________.
consent of the governed
The idea that the power of government comes from the people, and people agree to follow laws in exchange for protection, is called the ________.
Social contract
The Constitution created three branches of government. Name them.
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
A government where citizens elect representatives to make laws is called a __________.
republic or representative democracy
Define the term "natural rights" as used by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke.
Natural rights are rights that people are born with and cannot be taken away, such as life, liberty, and property
This philosopher argued that people are naturally selfish and that a strong central authority (a "social contract") is needed to avoid chaos; name him.
Thomas Hobbes
The idea that laws should apply equally to everyone and that rulers must follow the law too is known as the rule of what?
rule of law
The belief that citizens have the right to criticize government and speak freely is called what?
freedom of speech (or free expression)
Which Enlightenment idea most directly influenced the Bill of Rights' protections like freedom of speech and religion? (one phrase)
natural rights
A government in which a small group of people hold power (often wealthy or powerful families) is called an __________.
oligarchy
A government where religion has a leading role and religious leaders help make laws is sometimes called a __________.
theocracy
This thinker believed in religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and criticized intolerance and superstition in many of his writings. He famously wrote many satirical essays and letters.
Voltaire
The Enlightenment promoted using careful thinking and evidence rather than tradition or superstition; this approach is called the Age of __________ or emphasis on __________.
reason/ the Enlightenment
How did Enlightenment ideas change the way people viewed traditional authority like kings and the church? (short answer)
Students' answers should explain that people began to question absolute monarchs and church authority and wanted government based on reason and consent
Explain how the concept of "checks and balances" protects against any one branch becoming too powerful (two to three sentences).
Checks and balances mean each branch can limit the powers of the others (for example, the president can veto laws, Congress can override vetoes and approve appointments, and courts can rule laws unconstitutional) so no branch can act without some oversight.
A system where power is controlled by the people directly, often by voting on laws themselves instead of choosing representatives, is called __________.
direct democracy
Explain the difference between a republic and a direct democracy in one sentence.
A republic elects representatives to make laws for the people; a direct democracy has citizens vote on laws themselves.
Name the Enlightenment thinker who argued for direct democracy and the idea that legitimate political authority comes from a social contract agreed upon by all citizens.
Jean- Jacques Rousseau
Explain in one or two sentences what a "social contract" means according to Enlightenment thinkers.
A social contract is an agreement among people to form a government that will protect their rights in return the people agree to follow the laws.
Explain how Enlightenment ideas about natural rights could lead people to challenge unfair laws or rulers (short answer)
Students' answers should explain that if rulers violate natural rights, people have reason to resist or change those rules and laws.
Using what you know about Enlightenment ideas and colonial influences, explain why (2-3 sentences) the Founders included a written Constitution and a Bill of Rights and what their inspiration at the time was.
Samples: The Founders wrote a Constitution and Bill of Rights to limit government power and protect citizens' rights. They used Enlightenment ideas like natural rights and separation of powers and combined them with British traditions of legal protections to create a stable government that would resist cruelty or oppressive rule.
Define "limited government" in one sentence.
Limited government means the government's powers are restricted by law or a constitution.
What is "constitutional monarchy"? (Example: Modern day British Crown and active parliament) Provide a brief definition appropriate for 8th graders.
A constitutional monarchy is a system where a king or queen is head of the state, but their powers are limited by a constitution or laws- real decision-making power often lies with elected officials.