Thomas Hobbes ( ) John Locke ( ) Voltaire ( real name --- ( ) Baron de Montesquieu ( )

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1 1 Majen Hammond A More Perfect Union The Origins and Development of the U.S. Constitution Final project---september 25, 2008 Lesson Unit: The Age of Enlightenment and American Democracy Level: Grade 8 Background: The Age of Enlightenment is a term used to describe a period of time during the eighteenth century. It is a time in which intellectual and philosophical changes were taking place. These changes had a great impact on the social, political and moral aspects of that time period. The movement began in Europe and spread to America. It influenced the American Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution, as well as the Bill of Rights. The principles of the Age of Enlightenment stressed greater rights for the common people. It was less a set of ideas than it was a set of attitudes. At its core was a critical questioning of traditional institutions, customs, and morals. They believed that human reason could be used to build a better world. Many scholars argue that this was the beginning of the modern age as we know it today. It began the movement which stressed reason over superstition and the will of God. Ideas such as freedom, democracy, and reason became the primary values of society. The Enlightenment also helped form the way in which America developed its ideas on freedom, democracy and government in the early period of its beginning. The Enlightenment thinkers influenced our founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Important Figures: Benjamin Franklin ( ) American. He is known for his writings on nationality, and economic matters. He published Poor Richard's Almanac and was in favor of American Independence. He was also involved with writing the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of Thomas Jefferson ( ) American. He is best known for the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and his interpretation of the United States Constitution (1787).He argued for natural rights as the basis of all states, and that violation of these rights goes against the contract which binds a people to their rulers. and that therefore there is an inherent "Right to Revolution." Thomas Paine English-American He wrote the pamphlet Common Sense which influenced the American Revolution In Common Sense Paine outlined his plan for a representative government of the people, for the people and by the people, thus originating the form known as the modern democratic republic.

2 2 In his Rights of Man he declared that "the government of America, which is wholly on the system of representation, is the only real Republic in character and in practice that now exists." He also influenced the American Revolution Thomas Hobbes ( ), English philosopher. In his book, Leviathan, he established the foundation for most of Western political philosophy from the idea of social contract. The Social Contract theory is the idea that people would live in a state of nature if they did not have a society. In this state of nature, everyone would be able to do whatever they wanted. This would mean also that people could do anything they wanted to others as well. To avoid this, free men have a social contract in establishing a government. People get civil rights in return for having a government (a state) rule them. His ideas endorsed a strong government and in part formed the basis of federalism. John Locke ( ) English philosopher. His writings became the basis for the Declaration of Independence. He also thought that because man is born equal he has rights: government exists to protect these rights. Locke's theory was that there were natural rights - to "life, liberty and property." He also wrote that government was created by consent of the governed in order to protect these natural rights. If the government did not protect these rights he said that people had the right to rebel and dissolve the government. This was the philosophical justification of the American Revolution. Voltaire ( real name ---François Marie Arouet) ( ) French philosopher He promoted Free Speech, Civil Rights and Toleration His writings became the basis of the 1 st Amendment and Freedom of Speech Voltaire once wrote: "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend till death your right to say it." Baron de Montesquieu ( ) French political thinker. He is famous for his of the theory of separation of powers. His writings became the framework of the much of the Constitution. He wrote about a separation of powers and checks and balances that would divide government into three branches in order to prevent one branch of government from getting too powerful. Jean-Jacque Rousseau ( ) French Philosopher The central concept in Rousseau's thought is "liberty," and how people often have to give up their liberty. At the foundation of his thought on government and authority is the idea of the "social contract," in which government and authority are a mutual contract between the authorities and the governed. This contract implies that the governed agree to be ruled only so that their rights, property and happiness are protected by their rulers. Once rulers

3 3 cease to protect the ruled, the social contract is broken and the governed are free to choose another set of governors or magistrates. This idea would become the primary force in the Declaration of Independence.. Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson Reflected the ideas of John Locke s and other Enlightened thinkers. These were: Unalienable or natural rights Government set to protect personal rights. Government gaining power from consent of those it governs. The people had the right to abolish an unjust government. The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July stated that: Britain had taken away the American colonists natural rights. The people had the right to abolish an unjust government They had the right to set up a new government that would protect them Enlightenment and Constitution The writers of our Constitution looked at the ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. They used the Enlightenment ideas of social contract to set up the government, to be governed by the people to preserve their natural rights and for the good of the whole. Federal government was separated into three branches which according to Montesquieu would provide checks and balances to govern them The Bill of Rights contained the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution recognized that people had basic rights that government must protect. It stated the rights of all men to freedom of religion, speech, the press, trial by jury, to hold private property to bear arms, right to a speedy trial, and etc. The US Constitution set up a representative government with elected legislature to do the will of the people. Since our Constitution and the Bill of Rights hold many of the ideas of Enlightenment, it is probably safe to say that the founding fathers of those documents were influenced by those who thought that way. It is believed that without the age of Enlightenment the Revolution may never have taken place. If it did it could be assumed that the form of government we have would not have been as good without the ideas put forth by the Enlightenment. *********************************

4 4 Objectives: A. Content: As a result of this lesson, students will know: 1. Every government is based on founding principles that reflect the people and the time in which it was created. 2. The influence of the Enlightenment philosophers (Hobbs, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire) on the following aspects of the origins of America: The American Revolution The Declaration of Independence The Constitution The Bill of Rights B. Skills: As a result of this lesson, students will be able to: 1. Locate information using primary sources on a specific time period concerning beliefs and philosophies. 2. Create a presentation on one of the five Enlightenment philosophers and the effect that the philosopher had on the founding of America (American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights) 3. Write an essay on one of the influences of the Enlightenment. Massachusetts History and Social Science Frameworks: US1.2 Explain the historical and intellectual influences on the American Revolution and the formation and framework of the American government. A. The legacy of Ancient Rome and Greece B. The political theories of such European philosophers as Locke and Montesquieu US1.3 Explain the influence and ideas of the Declaration of Independence and the political philosophy of Thomas Jefferson. USI.14 Explain the characteristics of American democracy, including the concepts of popular sovereignty and constitutional government, which includes representative institutions, federalism, separation of powers, shared powers, checks and balances, and individual rights. Time Frame: 1-3 Periods Overview of Lesson: This lesson is an evaluation of student's comprehension of the beliefs, philosophies and writings of Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire. The students will examine the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights to determine how Enlightenment philosophers influenced the American Revolution and the formation of the American government. The activity will culminate with an essay writing assignment.

5 5 Materials Needed: PowerPoint on Enlightenment 12 laminated Placards Students Worksheets A, B, Rubric for Essay Prior Knowledge: Students have a basic understanding of the American Revolution. (grade 5 Massachusetts curriculum standards). They must also have a basic knowledge of the story of the American Revolution (Grade 8 Massachusetts curriculum). Process of Lesson: ********************************************* Day 1: Lesson Introduction: Write the following statement on the board and have students write a response in their journals. What does philosophy mean? What is your philosophy of life? Where did you get the ideas from? Explain. Discuss in class how people are influenced by ideas that they read, see in the media, listen to in music etc. Class Activity: 1. Show the Enlightenment Philosophers to the students by presenting a Powerpoint. (Hobbs, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire) (See attached PowerPoint on flashdrive). 2. As students view the slide presentation, they will take notes using a table. See attached sheet (Worksheet A). 3. Discuss results of worksheet. Student Worksheet A Concept Main Ideas How those ideas influenced America Enlightenment Social Contract Name of Philosopher Hobbs Locke Voltaire Montesquieu Rousseau Main Ideas How those ideas influenced America

6 6 Homework Assignment: 1. List the things you see in this picture (do not make any guesses or interpretations). 2. What do you think is the message of this picture? 3. Which of the five Enlightenment philosophers we studied today would agree with the message of this picture. ************************************* Day 2: Lesson Introduction: 1. Write the phrase American Revolution on the board. Ask students to shout-out any words that come to mind when they see this phrase. 2. Discuss any questions or misconceptions students might have as you generate the word splash on the board. 3. Explain to students that they are going to continue investigating how the Enlightenment influenced the words, ideas, and events that are in the word splash on the board. They will investigate the causes and results of the American Revolution. Class Activity 1. Divide students into pairs and have them arrange their desks appropriately. 2. Pass out the student assignment sheet titled Influence of the Enlightenment on the Beginning of America. Student Worksheet B 3. Write the directions on the board and discuss. Directions: 1. Each group of students (2) will get a placard.

7 7 2. Describe what you see AND/OR summarize what you read on the placard while you take notes in the Describe What You See Column below. 3. Identify which (there may be more than one) Enlightenment philosopher we studied last class that influenced the actions, statements, or beliefs on the placard. Write their name(s) in the Enlightenment Philosopher. 4. Identify two pieces of evidence from the placard that PROVE the philosopher(s) you identified influenced the information on your placard. Write your two pieces of evidence in the Evidence column. 5. Hand in your work to be graded. 4. Discuss results. Student Worksheet B Influence of Enlightenment Philosophers on American Beliefs and Traditions Placard # Describe What You see Enlightenment Evidence Philosopher Homework assignment: Take-Home Essay Essay Topic: Enlightenment and Founding of America Essay Task: Please answer the following question in a well-organized, thoughtful and original essay. Question: How did the ideas of the Enlightenment influence the American Revolution and the formation of the American Government? Directions: Your essay must: Be typed 12 pt font double-spaced no more than 1 margins Have a title Your name

8 8 The date the assignment is due Please include references to specific philosophers, documents and Information. Refer to rubric for criteria Rubric for Essay ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE FOUNDING OF AMERICA Name: Date: Grade: American History-Grade 8 Teacher: Mrs. Hammond Criteria Thesis Statement Thesis statement is clearly stated, detailed and supported throughout the entire essay Thesis statement is Attempt is made to clearly stated, detailed include a thesis and supported statement without throughout most of the sufficient support essay. throughout the essay. No thesis statement is present. Value Content Knowledge Clearly communicated answer to the question and demonstrates exemplary knowledge of the content. Consistently communicated answer to the question and demonstrates satisfactory knowledge of content. Communicates a basic answer to the question and demonstrates minimal knowledge of the content. Ineffectively communicates answer to the question and demonstrates limited knowledge of the content. Conclusions Reached Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required) with explanations and elaboration. Student is at ease with content, but fails to elaborate. Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to completely answer the question. Student does not have grasp of information; student cannot answer question. Supporting Details All conclusions drawn are supported with specific detail, explained and properly identified. Most conclusions drawn are supported with specific detail, explained and properly identified. Some conclusions drawn are supported with detail and minimally explained. One or few conclusions drawn are supported with detail, and little or no explanation is given. Organization of Thought Work is clearly organized and easy for the reader to follow. Work demonstrates some organization and is readable. Disorganized approach to the question with major obstacles to the reader's comprehension. Lack organization of thought and reader cannot comprehend. Communication The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had 1 error related to either grammar, spelling and formatting errors. The final body of work had 3-5 grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Teacher Comments: Total

9 9 ***************************************** Extension Activities: Students can create and act out a talk show that interviews the Enlightenment philosophers to determine who had the most influence on the founding of America. Students can participate in a debate to determine who was the most influential philosopher of the Enlightenment. Possibilities for Differentiation: Instead of writing an essay, some students would be more successful with the Brag Bubbles exercise. Students will be given sheets with the pictures of the Enlightenment philosopher and quote bubbles for each. Students will then fill in the bubbles by writing how the philosopher influenced the founding of America. ***************************** Questions to use for Discussion, Homework etc 1. Question: How did the Enlightenment change society and bring about revolution? Answer: The Enlightenment encouraged men to view their relationship with government in a new light. People like John Locke were arguing that government exists to protect the rights of the people, and if government failed to protect the rights of the people, the people could rightly replace the government. The Enlightenment made questioning the right of Absolute rulers possible, and it removed the concept of the ruler being divinely chosen to rule as a justification for their rule. The Enlightenment took the power to determine the government of an area out of the hands of the King and put it into the hands of the people, well, at least the people with the means to fight the King, such as the aristocracy and wealthy middle class 2. Question: List two Enlightenment ideas and how they changed American society? Answer: 1. All people are equal. It led to democracy, social security, peace between (MOST) nations, and a fair go for all people. It s helped build the wealth and knowledge of all people as all contribute and are willing to contribute 2. Everyone is free. This understanding that we are not under the control of anyone but ourselves brought about many of the rights we have today, such as freedom of speech and political choice. 3. Question: How was the Declaration and the Constitution influenced by the Enlightenment ideas? Answer:

10 They adopted the ideas of belief in reason; democracy (rather than tyranny); and in the liberty, equality and brotherhood of everyone. Enlightenment thinkers supporting these ideas included Voltaire and Rousseau. 10

11 11 Works Cited Material Hobbes Leviathan Image. 2 September How did Enlightenment Affect Colonial Thought? Massachusetts History and Social Science Frameworks. Text of Declaration of Independence Tearing Down the Statue of King George the Third Image. 2 September The Boston Massacre The Boston Tea Party, December 16, IRC unitedstreaming. 23 September Text of the U.S. Constitution bdsdcc+c0801))