The Enlightenment Mini-lesson
Lesson Plan
The Enlightenment was a period of time, starting around 1715, when people developed new ideas about human existence, including people's basic rights and the…
Overview
The Enlightenment was a period of time, starting around 1715, when people developed new ideas about human existence, including people's basic rights and the purpose of government. When our Founders created a government for the new United States, they embraced many Enlightenment ideas.
iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.
Grade Levels
- 6-8
- 9-12
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the ideas behind America’s founding documents
- Identify the ideas of various Enlightenment thinkers who influenced America’s Founders
- Recognize how various individuals and groups contributed to the development of the U.S. government