Founding Fathers

​SS.7.C.1.1 The Enlightenment and The Founding Fathers

​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 1

Students will identify and describe the Enlightenment ideas of separation of powers, natural law, and social contract.

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 1

In the 1700s a movement developed in Europe called the Enlightenment The main idea of the Enlightenment was the imprtance of learning and reasoning. Enlightenment thinkers believed education would solve society's problems.

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Open Ended

What did the Enlightenment thinkers would solve society's problems?

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 1

They focused on the relationship between government and the people being governed. Their ideas included separation of powers, natural law, and the social contract.

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 1

Separation of powers means that the power in government is divided into three branches. Each branch has its own unique responsibilities. This was a new idea in Europe because most governments had one person with all the power, like a king or queen. The idea of checks and balances allows each branch to limit the powers of the other branches. ​

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Open Ended

What does Separation of Powers mean?

Open Ended

What is the idea of checks and balances?

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 1

Locke and Montesquieu believed in the idea of a social contract. A social contract is created when an organized society agrees on the relationship between the government and the people. This relationship defines the rights and duties of the people and the limits and responsibilities of the government. ​

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Open Ended

Explain what a social contract is.

​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 2

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Students will examine how Enlightenment ideas influenced the Founders' beliefs about individual liberties and government. ​

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 2

The United States grew into 13 colonies from English settlements in North America. The King of England and Parliament (England's legislature) governed the colonies. Many American colonists grew angry that the King refused to lsten to their concerns. They were also angry that the Parlliament did not include the colonists in decisions about the colonoies. The colonists believed that theKing and Parliament violated their individual liberties. This means that the colonists' ability to live free and independent people was not being protected.

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Open Ended

What two things the colonists were angry with the King about??

Open Ended

According to what you just read, what is Parliament?

Open Ended

The colonists were angry that Parliament did not include them in decisions about the colonies. When they said that their individual liberties were violated, what did they mean?

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 2

Some colonists decided to speak out about wanting to separate from the English government and create their own government. Representatives from each of the 13 colonies met and wrote a document listing their reasons for separating.

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These representatives are now known as Founding Fathers, or Founders. Many of the Founders' views on the purpose of government included Enlightenment ideas such as separation of powers, natural law, and the social contract. ​

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What was the name of the document that the representatives wrote?

​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 3

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Students will evaluate the influence of Montesquieu's and Locke's ideas on the Founding Fathers.

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 3

The Founding Fathers read the ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers. They read John Locke's work about natural law and the social contract, and Baron de Montesquieu's work about separation of powers. ​

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Open Ended

Whose ideas were natural law and social contract?

Open Ended

Whose idea was separation of powers?

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 3

Locke believed that the purpose of government is to protect individual liberties and the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. The Founding Fathers included these ideas when they wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independnece stated that the colonists wanted to be a free country, independent from England. ​

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Open Ended

According to Locke, what are the natural rights?

Open Ended

What document are natural rights found in?

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 3

Montesquieu saw the dangers of a government ruled by one peson with all the power. Montesquieu wrote that power in government should be divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch would have its own responsibilities and roles. This concept is called separation of powers.​

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Open Ended

What was Montesquieu afraid of?

Open Ended

Montesquieu wanted the government divided into three branches. List them.

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​SS.7.C.1.1 BC 3

James Madison and the other Founders used the ideas of natural law, social contract, and separation of powers to creat the system of government in the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution continues to be the framework for the United States Government today. ​

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Open Ended

When a house is built, the framework is built first so the house has something to stand on. The frame.

"The Constitution continues to be the framework for the United States government today. " What does that quotation mean?