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What is the Enlightenment?
An 18th-century European intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism.
What is 'Tabula Rasa'?
The idea that people are born as a blank slate, shaped by experiences.
What are natural rights?
Rights inherent to all humans, such as life, liberty, and property (Locke).
What is separation of powers?
Dividing government into different branches to prevent tyranny (Montesquieu).
What are checks and balances?
A system where different branches of government limit each other's power.
What is the social contract?
People give up some freedoms for government protection and benefits.
Define republicanism.
A political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic under which the people hold popular sovereignty.
What is democracy?
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
Define aristocracy.
A form of government in which power is held by the nobility.
What is meant by 'self-governance'?
Political control exercised over one's own affairs; autonomy.
Who was John Locke?
Enlightenment thinker who argued for natural rights (life, liberty, and property).
Who was Thomas Hobbes?
Philosopher who believed a strong, centralized government was necessary for order.
Who was Baron de Montesquieu?
Advocated for separation of powers and checks and balances in government.
Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau?
Emphasized the social contract and the importance of the common good.
Who was Thomas Paine?
Author of 'Common Sense,' a powerful call for American independence.
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
Primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Who was Richard Henry Lee?
Introduced the resolution calling for independence in the Second Continental Congress.
Who was John Adams?
Member of the Committee of Five and a key advocate for independence.
Who was Benjamin Franklin?
Member of the Committee of Five and a diplomat who secured foreign support for the revolution.
Who was Roger Sherman?
Member of the Committee of Five and a key figure in drafting the Declaration of Independence.
Compare Hobbes and Rousseau's views on the social contract.
Hobbes: People need a strong government to control them. Rousseau: Government should serve the people's will.
Compare the views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Federalists: Supported a strong central government. Anti-Federalists: Favored states' rights and individual liberties.
Compare the American and French Revolutions.
American Revolution: Focused on independence and self-governance. French Revolution: Aimed at overthrowing the monarchy and aristocracy.
Compare direct and representative democracy.
Direct democracy: Citizens vote directly on policies. Representative democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions.
Compare the First and Second Continental Congresses.
First Continental Congress: Sought to address grievances with Britain. Second Continental Congress: Declared independence and managed the war effort.
Compare the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation: Weak central government, states retained significant power. Constitution: Stronger central government with defined powers.
Compare the views of Locke and Hobbes on human nature.
Locke: Believed humans are rational and capable of self-governance. Hobbes: Believed humans are selfish and need a strong ruler.
Compare the ideas of the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening.
Enlightenment: Emphasized reason and individualism. Great Awakening: Focused on religious revival and emotional experience.
Compare the views of Paine and the Loyalists.
Paine: Advocated for immediate independence. Loyalists: Remained loyal to the British Crown.
Compare the views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists on the Bill of Rights.
Federalists: Initially opposed a Bill of Rights, believing it was unnecessary. Anti-Federalists: Demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.