Enlightenment Ideas NAME: _________________________

Guided Notes: Write the vocabulary term next to the correct definition.

Vocabulary Definition

Human being are born with fundamental basic rights including right to life, liberty, property, and freedom to find happiness

Citizens give up some freedom they would have had in a state of nature and in exchange the government protects the citizens’ right to life liberty and property.

The government is divided into parts and each part has its own purpose.

Each separate branch has the ability to limit the power of the other branches.

Directions: Read each quote and decide which enlightenment idea influenced the writer. Fill in

the blank with the correct answer (Social Contract, Checks and Balances, Natural Rights,

Separation of Power).

Quote: Enlightenment Idea

“All men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”

“That the legislative, executive, and judiciary department shall be separate and distinct…”

“Everyone living under … democracy has a duty to act responsibly, to obey the laws, and to abandon certain types of self-interested behaviors that conflict with the general good.”

“We the people in order…establish justice…promote the general welfare…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

“Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated…”

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

What are some examples of “Checks and Balances” that are found in United States government today? (use the textbook to help you)

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When looking at the test question below…

1) Read the question

2) Underline the key words in the question

3) Underline the key words in the text

Sample Test Question

The statements below are from the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights

Which statement reflects the Enlightenment ideas of government expressed by Montesquieu?

A) 1

B) 2

C) 3

D) 4