Principles & Influences of American Government

Activities for 2.1

Course Objective & Focus

CE.CG.1.2: Explain how Enlightenment & other theories impacted the DOI, Constitution & BOR to promote liberty, justice & equality.

•What was the Enlightenment?

•What ideas came from the Enlightenment?

•How did these ideas impact the US?

•How do these ideas affect us today?

Enlightenment, p. 12

• Define the term.– Enlightenment: a European intellectual

movement around 1680-1780 emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition. 

• What ideas came from this movement?

• How did this change the world?

Hobbes Locke Rousseau Montesquieu

Enlightenment Philosophers• Work with your small group. Number each other 1-4• Complete both the text and handout readings:

– Thomas Hobbes (p. 21)– John Locke (p. 34-35)– Jean Jacques Rousseau (p. 35)– Charles de Montesquieu (p. 35)

• Read pp. 21, 34-35 & the handout. Then, for each of the philosophers:– State their country of origin– Name of Book they wrote (Look on the handout!)– Explain one belief they wrote about. (Use a

quote from the handout to illustrate this belief.)– What principle of American democracy best sums up

their ideas? (See p. 9 of your notebook!)

Important documents to US:Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, &

Mayflower Compact

The 1’s in each group should collect the handouts and return them to me.

Return to seats & straighten the room.

Fill appointment clock for activity.

Appointment Clock Activity

• Make an appointment for each time slot with a different classmate for each other than your elbow partner.

• Write their name on the line & they should write yours on their line.

• Have a seat when you complete your appointment card.

Founding Documents, p. 13

Setting up the page:

12:00: The Magna Carta (p. 33)Skip about 5 lines

3:00: The Mayflower Compact (p. 36)Skip about 5 lines

6:00: The English Bill of Rights (p. 34)Skip about 5 lines

9:00: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (p. 37)

Founding Documents, p. 13Read the document and pp. 33-34, 36-

37. • Write the year of the document. • Write participants involved in creating

the document. • Write the significance of the

document. • Write what American principle the

document represents. (See p. 9!)Discuss each document with quotes.

2.1 Exit Ticket

• Why do you think Americans study the Enlightenment today?

• Explain how it shaped our country.

• Which document that we studied today (on p. 13 of your notebook) do you think is the most important to the US?

• Explain why.

Assignment

• Jigsaw groups.

• Read Chapter 2.4. Complete the timeline with the dates.

• You may also wish to review Chapter 2.1 and include key dates from the information in that section on your timeline.