1. Aim: Was Western Europe ready for an Enlightenment?
Enlightenment I
Aim: Was Western Europe ready for an Enlightenment?

2. DO NOW: Read the scenario and answer the following questions
Imagine that you and all of the other students in your grade are going on a class trip to China. When you’re flying over the middle of the Pacific Ocean the plane’s engines malfunction and you crash on a deserted island. The island has enough food and fresh water on it for everyone, but after a week of waiting it is clear that no one is going to come and rescue you. The lack of rules have created tension between your classmates and you decide that a government is needed.
Why do you need a government?
What should the government do for you and your classmates?
What limits should there be on the government?

3. The Enlightenment
-What is the best way for a government to rule its people? -Are people born with rights? Should they be protected? -What is the purpose of government?

4. The Enlightenment: a period of time (mid-1600s to the late 1700s) in Western Europe when philosophers and writers applied the scientific idea of reason to answer political questions. The Enlightenment is sometimes known as the Age of Reason.
The writers who took part in the Enlightenment are called Enlightenment Thinkers, sometimes known as philosophes, the French word for philosophers. Just as scientists challenged the claims of the Catholic Church, Enlightenment Thinkers often challenged the claims of absolute monarchs.

6. Video Clip: Heroes of the Enlightenment -
Video Clip: Heroes of the Enlightenment - Who and what had the most influence on how people in Europe lived and what they thought? _____________________________________________________________________________ What changes came about because of the Enlightenment?

9. What Caused the Enlightenment? Brainstorm

10. 1. Protestant Reformation and Scientific Revolution Influence
Martin Luther’s actions in the Protestant Reformation challenged the Catholic Church’s hold on power by translating the Bible into common languages and encouraging people to read it for themselves instead of having priests translate it for them. Isaac Newton and other scientists used observation and reason to explain the true nature of the world which often proved the Catholic Church’s claims wrong.

11. 2. Increased Book Production and Literacy
Johannes Gutenberg invented his printing press around That invention made it easier and less expensive to produce books. It was very important in spreading Martin Luther’s ideas during the Protestant Reformation. During the Enlightenment, book production increased even more and literacy rates, the percentage of people who were able to read, also increased.

12. 3. Urbanization, Salons, and Coffee Houses
During the 1700s, the process of urbanization (people moving to cities and the growth of those cities) increased in Europe. As more people moved to cities they found places to socialize and discuss ideas. Coffee was a newly popular drink in Europe and intellectuals from the upper and middle classes like the philosophes came to coffee houses to drink it and discuss politics and religion. Upper class intellectuals also exchanged ideas in salons, gatherings, usually at someone’s home where the guests came to listen to readings and discuss a specific topic.

13. Based on the information above, summarize what the mid-1600s to late 1700s were like in Western Europe and explain why this time period was ripe for the Enlightenment.
Point Value
4 points
3 points
2 point
1 points
Topic Sentence
Interesting, original topic sentence, reflecting thought and insight; focused on one interesting main idea.
Clearly stated topic sentence presents one main idea.
Acceptable topic sentence presents one idea.
Missing, invalid, or inappropriate topic sentence;  main idea is missing.
Supporting Details 
Interesting, concrete and descriptive examples and details with explanations that relate to the topic.  
Examples and details relate to the topic and some explanation is included. 
Sufficient number of examples and details that relate to the topic.
Insufficient, vague, or undeveloped examples. 
Organization and Transitions
Thoughtful, logical progression of supporting examples; Mature transitions between ideas.
Details are arranged in a logical progression; appropriate transitions.
Acceptable arrangement of examples; transitions may be weak.
No discernible pattern of organization; Unrelated details; no transitions.
Mechanics
Consistent standard English usage, spelling, and punctuation. No errors.
Some errors, but none major, in usage, spelling, or punctuation. (1-2)
A few errors in usage, spelling, or punctuation (3-4)
Distracting errors in usage, spelling, or punctuation