Lesson 3: The Enlightenment

Key Idea

The Scientific Revolution showed that people could use reason and observation to understand the natural world. This new confidence, building on the questioning spirit of the Renaissance and Reformation, sparked a new movement in 18th-century Europe.

This movement was the Enlightenment. Thinkers applied scientific principles to human society, government, and rights. They challenged the traditional authority of absolute monarchs and the Church, believing that logic could lead to human progress and a better world.

Key Idea

A new way of thinking called the Enlightenment spread across Europe. Thinkers used reason and science to question old ideas about government. These exciting thoughts soon traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies.

One influential thinker was John Locke. He argued that all people are born with natural rights, including the rights to life, liberty, and property. Locke believed a government's main job was to protect these rights for its citizens.

Key Idea

After deciding to separate from Great Britain, the American colonies needed to explain their reasons to the world. Congress chose Thomas Jefferson to write a formal document explaining this decision.

Jefferson was inspired by the Enlightenment. He included ideas from thinkers like John Locke, arguing that all people have rights and that governments exist to protect those rights.