Key Enlightenment Ideas

Question 1

Natural Rights

Answer 1

Rights which an individual has simply because they exist. Proposed by John Locke (Life, Liberty and Estate), and used by the Founding Fathers (Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness)

Question 2

Representative Government

Answer 2

A form of democratic government in which people are elected to represent a group of people

Question 3

Republicanism

Answer 3

A political ideology centered on citizenship - drawn from the Roman Republic. Argued that citizen’s needed to display “civic virtue” and overthrow tyrannical rule.

Question 4

Liberty

Answer 4

The idea that individuals have the right to do as they please as long as it does not interfere with other people’s freedoms

Question 5

Magna Carta 1215

Answer 5

An English document from the 13th century which constrained the power of a monarch. Very influential to Declaration of Independence

Question 6

Glorious Revolution 1688

Answer 6

The overthrowing of Catholic King James II of England in favor Protestant Prince William of Orange and his wife Mary Stuart. (Catholic vs Protestant)

Question 7

The Great Awakening

Answer 7

1730s, preaching of evangelical religion and belief in religious freedom and shared information. Leads to beginnings of democratic thought.