VOCAB CHECK Divine right – God-given society – people living together in a community with shared laws, traditions and values consent – approval or permission levied – charged; made to pay by the gov’t governed – controlled or ruled by

People sitting around, discussing cool enlightenment ideas. What was the Enlightenment? A revolution in the way Europeans and Americans thought about the world. This change in thinking happened after a bunch of scientific discoveries in the 1500s and 1600s. By the 1700s, the way that Europeans and Americans thought about the world around them was very, very different than it had been in the past. What areas were affected by this change in thinking? Politics, economics, religion and science. Why is knowing about the Enlightenment important? The way people think affects how they act. Some historians say that without the Enlightenment, the American colonies would never have tried to break away from Britain. People sitting around, discussing cool enlightenment ideas.

Why might you not like these new ideas if you are a king or a queen? Changes in Thinking Old Ideas Enlightenment Ideas Only priests and kings (men chosen by God) know the truth. You have to listen to them to know what is right and what is wrong. God gave humans a brain and the ability to reason. Man can observe the universe and discover for himself truths about God, man and the universe. Why might you not like these new ideas if you are a king or a queen?

The Declaration of Independence A very important document in American history is full of ideas from the Enlightenment. Do you know which one it is? The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the Declaration of Independence and he had been reading a very influential Enlightenment thinker before he did so: John Locke. Mr. Locke Mr. Jefferson

Locke’s Enlightenment Ideas His ideas focused on the theory of a "state of nature" in which all men are equal.  In other words, we’re all born equal. No one’s bloodline makes him or her any better than anyone else. Rejecting the divine right of kings, Locke said that societies form governments by the mutual agreement of the people being governed. Thus, when a king loses the consent (approval or agreement) of the governed, a society may remove him.  He defined property as anything that is the product of one’s labor. In Locke's Second Treatise of Government, he says everyone has the right to defend his or her “life, health, Liberty or possessions.”

Locke’s Enlightenment Ideas Locke’s Words Focused on the theory of a "state of nature" in which all men are equal.  In other words, we’re all born equal. No one’s bloodline makes him or her any better than anyone else. Rejected the divine right of kings, Locke said that societies form governments by the mutual agreement of the people being governed. Thus, when a king loses the consent (approval or agreement) of the governed, a society may remove him.  He defined property as anything that is the product of one’s labor. In Locke's Second Treatise of Government, he says everyone has the right to defend his or her “life, health, Liberty or possessions.” In my words All men are , and all are born . There is no divine or ( - ) right of kings. Governments are formed when . Property is . Everyone has the right to .

Let’s Examine One of Locke’s Quotes What is the connection between one’s property and taxes levied (charged; made to pay) by the government?

We were all born after the Enlightenment, so these are not new ideas to us. Just for a second though, think about what life would have been like if the leader of your country didn’t think this way. If everyone didn’t agree that humans are born equal, that the power of government belongs to the people, that we have the right to protect ourselves from unfair government, how would life be different? Thomas Jefferson doesn’t phrase it exactly like John Locke, but when he gets the chance to describe what America is all about, he uses these ideas. Where does he use them????? When you see these Enlightenment ideas in the Declaration of Independence, notify someone! (Preferably your teacher.) 