American and French Revolutions Influenced by Enlightenment

Grade levels:

CONTENT STATEMENT

Enlightenment ideas on the relationship of the individual and the government influenced the American and French Revolutions.

CONTENT ELABORATION

The political, economic, and social changes that developed during the Enlightenment Age inspired the American and French Revolutions. Enlightenment writers explored the relationship between governments and the people they governed.
Leaders of revolutions and wars for independence during this time based their goals for political change upon Enlightenment ideas. These ideas include:

  • freedom;
  • natural rights;
  • self-determination;
  • limited government;
  • consent of the governed; and
  • the common good.

EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING

Explain how Enlightenment ideas influenced the American and French Revolutions.

Companies addressing the standard: