Enlightenment and American Revolution Quiz

Questions and Answers

What idea did John Locke advocate for the role of a government?

Natural rights that belonged to all humans from birth.

Explain the economic policy of laissez faire.

A policy that allows businesses to operate with little or no government interference.

How did the Enlightenment affect some rulers in Europe, and what are these rulers known as?

They became known as despots.

How does the Bill of Rights reflect a key Enlightenment idea?

It recognizes that people have basic rights the government must protect. Signup and view all the answers

How did Enlightenment thinkers inspire revolutionaries to push for radical changes in government and society?

They emphasized the need for a government that protects the liberties of the people. Signup and view all the answers

Choose one philosopher from this unit and describe how he or she might respond to a human rights issue that has been in the news recently.

Voltaire would oppose internet censorship bills. Signup and view all the answers

What did Thomas Hobbes believe was the basic nature of human beings?

Naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of government did Hobbes believe was best for human society?

An absolute monarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What was John Locke's view of basic human nature?

People were basically reasonable and moral. Signup and view all the answers

What did Locke conclude was the proper kind of government?

A government with limited power that protects natural rights. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the influence of Enlightenment ideas on the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

They provided ideas for checks and balances, individual freedom, and government by the people. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the reasons why Enlightenment ideas were slow to influence the lives of most Europeans.

Most Europeans were uneducated and lived in rural villages. Signup and view all the answers

What did those opposed to Enlightenment ideas do to stop the spread of information?

They used censorship, banned and burned books, and imprisoned writers. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the roles that censorship and salons played in the spread of new ideas.

Censorship = Slowed the spread of ideas by banning books Salons = Promoted the exchange of new ideas among thinkers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

John Locke and Government

Advocated natural rights inherent to all humans at birth.
People form governments to protect their natural rights.
Best government is one with limited power, accepted by citizens.

Economic Policy of Laissez Faire

Developed by physiocrats as an alternative to mercantilism.
Promotes minimal government interference in business operations.

Enlightened Despots in Europe

Frederick II: Advocated religious tolerance, opposed torture.
Catherine II: Promoted religious tolerance, against torture.
Joseph II: Sought to understand and amend citizen grievances.
These rulers were termed as despots due to their autocratic nature.

Bill of Rights and Enlightenment Ideals

Reflects Enlightenment's emphasis on natural rights.
Ensures government protection of fundamental rights such as freedom of religion, speech, and press.

Enlightenment Influence on Revolutionaries

Enlightenment thinkers articulated the need for governments to protect liberties.
Emphasized concepts of life, liberty, and property as essential rights.

Voltaire's Perspective on Human Rights

Would oppose modern internet censorship bills for infringing on freedom of speech.
Believed in the importance of liberty, which he actively defended throughout his life.

Thomas Hobbes' View on Human Nature

Perceived humans as naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish.

Hobbes' Ideal Government

Advocated for an absolute monarchy to enforce order and control human behavior.

John Locke's View on Human Nature

Contrasted Hobbes; saw people as reasonable and moral.

Locke's Ideal Government

Supported limited government power, natural rights protection, citizen acceptance, and the right to overthrow government.

Influence on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights

Enlightenment ideas shaped principles of checks and balances, individual freedoms, and democratic governance.

Slow Spread of Enlightenment Ideas

Primarily affected by widespread illiteracy and the rural lifestyle of the majority of Europeans.

Opposition to Enlightenment Ideas

Censorship techniques included book banning, burning, and imprisonment to restrict information dissemination.

Role of Censorship and Salons

Censorship hindered the spread of ideas but led writers to encode messages in fictional works.
Salons provided a platform for sharing and discussing Enlightenment ideas among the educated elite.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts from the Enlightenment and how they influenced the American Revolution. This quiz covers essential ideas from philosophers like John Locke and economic policies like laissez-faire. Dive into the ideas that shaped modern democracy and governance.