The Enlightenment Era
Explore key figures, ideas, and impacts of the Enlightenment on government and society.
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The Enlightenment Era
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. Which of the following was a central idea of the Enlightenment?
The divine right of kings
The importance of tradition over reason
The use of reason and logic to solve problems
The absolute power of the church
2. Which Enlightenment thinker proposed the idea of 'separation of powers' in government?
John Locke
Voltaire
Baron de Montesquieu
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
3. John Locke argued that all people are born with natural rights, including life, liberty, and .
4. Voltaire was a strong advocate for freedom of speech and .
5. Enlightenment ideas had no impact on the American Revolution.
True
False
6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that government should be based on the 'general will' of the people.
True
False
7. Briefly explain what the 'social contract' theory, as described by Enlightenment thinkers, means.
Match each Enlightenment thinker with their main idea.
8. John Locke
a. Separation of Powers
9. Voltaire
b. Natural Rights
10. Montesquieu
c. Freedom of Speech and Religion