The Enlightenment and Democracy

Students explore people, ideas, and documents that shaped democratic thought, including: the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, Charles de Montesquieu, and John Locke. First they read a geneal overview about each, and then they take a closer look at how they shaped the U.S. Constitution. Finally students choose one of three Enlightenment ideas and write an explanation for a younger child.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Here are the teacher pack items for The Enlightenment and Democracy:

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Overview

In this experience, students explore people, ideas, and documents that shaped democratic thought, including: the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, Charles de Montesquieu, and John Locke. First they read a geneal overview about each, and then they take a closer look at how they shaped the U.S. Constitution. Finally students choose one of three Enlightenment ideas and write an explanation for a younger child.

Objective:

  • Describe how the Enlightenment ideas shaped modern democracy.


Many factors went into shaping modern democratic thought, including the U.S. Constitution. In this experience, you will explore some of these factors, including people, ideas, and documents that influenced modern democracy.

Objective:

  • Describe how the Enlightenment ideas shaped modern democracy.


Cover of Montesquieu’s “The Spirit of Laws”

The United States is founded on democratic values and principles.


Write some examples of democratic values and principles.

Post your answer

Some examples include: liberty, freedom, equality, justice, popular sovereignty (majority rules).

You could ask students to identify values that have been important throughout the nation’s history.


Next, think about how those values and principles are reflected in a democratic government. Write a short description of ways that the United States government reflects democratic values. (You may want to consider what you know about the Constitution.)

Post your answer

Examples include:

  • Free and fair elections
  • Citizens elect their own leaders
  • Elections are held frequently so leaders can be replaced
  • People have individual rights
  • Separation of powers and checks & balances
  • Separation of state and national governments


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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in An Era of Revolution Unit.

Latin American Revolutions

The American Revolution

The Gunpowder Empires

The Enlightenment

The French Revolution

The Columbian Exchange

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

Scientific Revolution

Age of Exploration

The Rise of the Modern Nation-State

The Enlightenment and Democracy

Emerging Economic Systems
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