Worksheets8-28-2025 Enlightenment Philosophers Reflection
Total questions: 22
Worksheet time: 11mins
Which philosopher is considered the most important influence on American beliefs about government?
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Voltaire
An agreement b/w people and gov’t in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the gov’t protects their natural rights.
social contract
elite democracy
republicanism
popular sovereignty
What impact did the writings of Baron Montesquieu have on the Founding Fathers of the American political system?
They kept a monarchical system of government.
They created a representative system of government.
They guaranteed each citizen the right to a trial by jury.
They separated the powers of government into three branches.
John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu were all European philosophers who greatly impacted the way our American government was set up. They were all part of the time of intellectual advancement that occurred during the 17th and 18th centuries called The ___.
Middle Ages
Enlightenment
Which philosopher believed that humans are naturally selfish and that an absolute monarchy is the best form of government?
John Locke
Thomas Hobbes
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Karl Marx
Which philosopher believed in the separation of powers and the importance of checks and balances in government?
Rousseau
Locke
Hobbes
Montesquieu
What was a common belief among the Enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Montesquieu regarding government?
That a strong, centralized authority was necessary.
That government should reflect the will of the people.
That monarchies were the best form of government.
That governments were unnecessary and should be abolished.
Which Enlightenment thinker's ideas were used to justify the right of revolution in the Declaration of Independence?
Montesquieu
John Locke
Rousseau
Voltaire
In what way did Montesquieu's idea of separation of powers influence American democracy?
It led to the creation of a one-party system.
It inspired the establishment of a direct democracy.
It contributed to the formation of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
It encouraged the abolition of the legislative branch.
Which Enlightenment thinker argued that liberty is a natural right of all people?
Montesquieu
John Locke
Rousseau
Hobbes
How did John Locke's ideas influence the American Founding Fathers?
By promoting the idea of a strong central government
Through his concept of natural rights, which influenced the Declaration of Independence
By advocating for the abolition of slavery
By suggesting the direct election of the President
Which document is most influenced by John Locke's theory of natural rights?
The Magna Carta
The Articles of Confederation
The U.S. Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
What is a key principle of the social contract theory as it relates to the authority of the state?
The state has unlimited power over its citizens.
The authority of the state is derived from the consent of the governed.
The state should control all economic resources.
Citizens have no right to overthrow their government.
Which Philosopher developed 'Freedom of Speech'
Thomas Hobbes
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Montesquieu
John Locke
Voltaire
Which Philosopher developed 'Religious Toleration'
Mary Wollstonecraft
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Montesquieu
John Locke
Voltaire
Which Philosopher believed that all people are entitled to 'Life, Liberty, and Property'
Mary Wollstonecraft
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Montesquieu
John Locke
Voltaire
Which Philosopher was an advocate for 'Separation of Church and State'
Mary Wollstonecraft
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Montesquieu
John Locke
Voltaire
Which Philosopher believed that people were "nasty and brutish"
Thomas Hobbes
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Montesquieu
John Locke
Voltaire
Which Philosopher believed that there must be a strong king to keep order.
Thomas Hobbes
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Montesquieu
John Locke
Voltaire
Which Enlightenment philosopher argued that people have the right to overthrow a government that violates their natural rights?
John Locke
Thomas Hobbes
Voltaire
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Enlightenment emphasized the use of:
Reason and logic
Divine right of kings
Superstition and dogma
Absolute obedience to monarchs
