Causes of American Revolution, American Revolution, Enlightenment Thinkers

During the Enlightenment, some philosophers challenged the absolute power of kings. Which statement  reflects a typical Enlightenment challenge to this absolute power? 

• "Without strong monarchs to keep order, there would be war of every man against every  man"

• "The King is the state"

• "A monarch's rule is justified by divine right"

• "A government's power comes only from the consent of the people"

In addition to questioning the absolute authority of kings, some Enlightenment thinkers also challenged the traditional authority of the church. How did Enlightenment thinkers challenge religious authority?

• They promoted religious toleration and separation of church and state. 

• They argued that faith in divine authority alone guarantees a just ruler. 

• They encouraged strict government regulation of all church affairs. 

• They called for church leaders to create theocracies to replace monarch

Match the following Ideas with their owners.

• Believed the way to protect natural rights was to divide the Government into 3 equal branches.

• Thomas Jefferson

• Haitian Revolution leader & former slave that was influenced by Locke’s concept of Natural Rights.

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Believed in the Social contract that wants people to recognize a collective "good will," for All.

• Toussaint L’Ouverture

• Wrote the Declaration of Independence. Influenced by Locke's ideas Natural Rights & Social Contract.

• Baron de Montesquieu

• Believed in religious tolerance & the right of free speech. Ideas became the 1st Amendment.

• Voltaire

6. Both the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man  (1789) were written for what primary purpose? 

• To challenge the authority of an unjust king 

• To oppose the creation of constitutional protections 

• To deny the separation of church and state

• To uphold the tradition of the divine right of kings

Enlightenment philosophers such as Rousseau, Locke and Voltaire stressed the importance of the individual citizen as an agent of social and political change. According to these thinkers, a citizen should

• oppose any challenge to the authority of the church.

• trust in the absolute power of the monarchy to maintain order.

• use natural law and reason to challenge the power of the king.

• promote intolerance of anyone questioning the traditional order.

The French Revolution was inspired by _______________ thinkers.

• Scientific Revolution

• Clergy

• Enlightenment

• Revolutionary

This Enlightenment Thinker was a pioneer in the field of criminology who stressed the rights of accused people to be treated fairly. His ideas about rights and punishment influenced the U.S., many laws concerning crime are reflected in the Bill of Rights

• John Locke

• Cesare Beccaria

• Mary Wollenstonecraft

• Thomas Jefferson

Which of the following were causes championed by Enlightenment thinkers. Choose the THREE correct answers.

• abolition of serfdom

• censorship of the press

• social equality of the classes

• separation of church and state

• promotion of capital punishment

Which Enlightenment thinker is known for the idea of separation of powers in government?

• John Locke

• Baron de Montesquieu

• Voltaire

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

What was a major cause of the American Revolution?

• Desire for independence from Spain

• High taxation without representation

• Conflict with Native American tribes

• Religious persecution