Enlightenment Unit Test

Select the correct definition for the word Enlightenment:

• a period also known as the Age of Reason

• the idea that governments should express the will of the people

• included life, liberty, and property in Locke's views

Answer explanation

The correct definition of Enlightenment refers to a period also known as the Age of Reason, which emphasized reason and individualism over tradition. The other options relate to specific ideas within Enlightenment thought.

The idea that governments should express the will of the people is...

• natural rights

• Enlightenment

• popular sovereignty

Answer explanation

The idea that governments should express the will of the people is known as popular sovereignty. This concept emphasizes that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Who spoke out against censorship?

• Mary Wolstonecraft

• Voltaire

• John Locke

• Charles-Louis Montesquieu

Answer explanation

Voltaire was a prominent advocate for freedom of speech and often criticized censorship. His writings emphasized the importance of free expression, making him a key figure in the fight against oppressive censorship.

Select the three goals of Enlightenment:

• Oppression

• Knowledge

• Freedom

• Happiness

Answer explanation

The Enlightenment emphasized the pursuit of Knowledge, the importance of individual Freedom, and the quest for Happiness, contrasting with oppression, which is not a goal of this intellectual movement.

Select two leaders who were important in the American Colonies

• Napoleon Bonaparte

• Benjamin Franklin

• John Locke

• Thomas Jefferson

Answer explanation

Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were key leaders in the American Colonies, contributing to the founding principles and independence movement, while Napoleon Bonaparte and John Locke were not directly involved in colonial leadership.

Who believed that people were naturally good and that government should be limited?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Simon Bolivar

• Charles-Luis Monteesquieu

Answer explanation

John Locke believed in the inherent goodness of people and argued for limited government to protect individual rights, contrasting with Hobbes' view of a more authoritarian state.

Montesquieu influenced what in the U.S. Constitution?

• The Bill of Rights

• Amendments

• The Three Branches of Government

• Natural Rights

Answer explanation

Montesquieu's idea of separating government powers into three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—greatly influenced the structure of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring a system of checks and balances.

What is the Legislative Branch responsible for?

• making laws

• enforcing laws

• interpreting laws

Answer explanation

The Legislative Branch is responsible for making laws, which involves drafting, debating, and passing legislation. The other options, enforcing and interpreting laws, are duties of the Executive and Judicial Branches, respectively.

What is the Executive Branch responsible for?

• making laws

• enforcing laws

• interpreting laws

Answer explanation

The Executive Branch is responsible for enforcing laws, which means implementing and ensuring compliance with the laws created by the Legislative Branch. It does not make or interpret laws.

What is the Judicial Branch responsible for?

• making laws

• enforcing laws

• interpreting laws

Answer explanation

The Judicial Branch is responsible for interpreting laws, ensuring they are applied fairly and consistently. This distinguishes it from the Legislative Branch, which makes laws, and the Executive Branch, which enforces them.