Mr. Weber Room 217

 1. What is the Declaration of Independence?  2. Do you think that the principles of the Declaration of Independence – “All human beings were created equal” and respect for “inalienable rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” have been made true today?

 Activator, agenda, and objective (10 minutes)  Declaration of Independence writing (20 minutes)  CST release questions quiz (15 minutes)  Exit ticket and homework (5 minutes)

Students will… Describe the Enlightenment and the rise of democratic ideas as the context in which the nation was founded Analyze the significant events surrounding the founding of the nation and its attempts to realize the philosophy of government described in the Declaration of Independence..

Using the underlined phrases, write a short essay describing how Thomas Jefferson used the Enlightenment ideas of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu in writing the Declaration of Independence.

Answer the following quiz questions in groups. Each member of the group writes down their answer. First group to raise their hand gets called. If they get in wrong, it goes to the group who raised their hands second. Everyone writes the question and then the correct answer in their note books.

1. The Enlightenment is known as the age of A) Optimism and progress. B) Skepticism and progress. C) Natural law and regression. D) Natural law and skepticism. 2. The English philosopher John Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) led many to embrace A). Deism. B) “Rational" religion. C) Religious fanaticism. D) The religious revivals of the Great Awakening.

3. Enlightenment Deists--including Franklin and Jefferson--believed that God A) Miraculously intervened in the working of the universe. B) Left the universe to operate according to natural law. C) Persecuted fanatics and "enthusiasts". D) Gave direct mandates and visions to Christians. 4. The belief held by Enlightenment philosophers, advocating a social contract, currently found in the United States Constitution is A) Judicial review. B) Checks and balances. C) Sovereignty of the people. D) Separation of powers.

 5. What effect did the Enlightenment have on political thought in the colonies?  A) Colonial Leaders began extending voting rights to all citizens.  B) The 1 st Continental Congress determined a need for the bill of rights.  C) Colonial Leaders began advocating for a state-supported church.  D) Colonists began to question the authority of the British monarchy. 6. The Declaration of Independence elaborates on the Enlightenment ideals of A) Natural rights. B) Collective Ownership. C) Religious freedom. D) Political Equality.

 Homework  Everyone: research the U.S. Constitution and bring in written evidence of your findings:  What is it? What does it do? Why is it important?  Advanced: Also research a modern constitutional issue.