In this Grade 4 lesson from Discovering Our Past: a History of the World, students explore the Age of Enlightenment and how European thinkers applied reason and natural law to questions of government. They examine the contrasting political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, including Hobbes's theory of absolutism as presented in Leviathan. Students also learn key vocabulary such as social contract and constitutional monarchy while analyzing how Enlightenment ideas shaped modern governments, including that of the United States.
Section 1
Enlightenment Thinkers Apply Reason to Politics
During the 1700s, European intellectuals used scientific reasoning to examine and improve government. They believed natural laws could be discovered and applied to create better societies and protect people's rights.
Section 2
Hobbes and Locke Develop Opposing Government Theories
Thomas Hobbes argued humans needed absolute monarchs to control their selfish nature. John Locke countered that government should protect people's natural rights through a social contract, giving citizens the right to rebel.
Section 3
Montesquieu Divides Power to Protect Rights
Baron Montesquieu proposed separating government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any single authority from becoming too powerful, an idea that later influenced many constitutions including America's.
Section 4
Enlightened Monarchs Reform Their Kingdoms
Rulers like Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine of Russia adopted some Enlightenment principles by allowing religious tolerance, improving education, and attempting reforms, while still maintaining their absolute power.
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Section 1
Enlightenment Thinkers Apply Reason to Politics
During the 1700s, European intellectuals used scientific reasoning to examine and improve government. They believed natural laws could be discovered and applied to create better societies and protect people's rights.
Section 2
Hobbes and Locke Develop Opposing Government Theories
Thomas Hobbes argued humans needed absolute monarchs to control their selfish nature. John Locke countered that government should protect people's natural rights through a social contract, giving citizens the right to rebel.
Section 3
Montesquieu Divides Power to Protect Rights
Baron Montesquieu proposed separating government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any single authority from becoming too powerful, an idea that later influenced many constitutions including America's.
Section 4
Enlightened Monarchs Reform Their Kingdoms
Rulers like Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine of Russia adopted some Enlightenment principles by allowing religious tolerance, improving education, and attempting reforms, while still maintaining their absolute power.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter