iCivics
Why Government?
Why do people create governments? Where did we get our ideas about government? This is a fantastic introductory instructional activity for your American government class that begins by reviewing the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John...
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Why Do Governments Exist? Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, and Rousseau
Here is a great secondary source reading that includes the primary ideas and philosophies of the famed Enlightenment philosophers: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In additional to discussing...
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Locke v. Hobbes
In this Hobbes and Locke study guide worksheet, high schoolers respond to 18 short answer questions. The questions correlate to assigned readings in a textbook.
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Locke and Hobbes
In this Hobbes's Social Contract and Locke’s Natural Rights study guide worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer regarding each man's vision.
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Quotes by Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire
In Enlightenment quotations study guide worksheet, students read quotations and identify the speakers as Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Peter the Great, Copernicus, Louis XIV, Galileo, Harvey, Kepler , Frederick the Great, or...
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Four Enlightenment Thinkers
High schoolers examine lives, philosophies, and political beliefs of four Enlightenment Thinkers: Baron de Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. Students then work with partner to write short speech from...
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19c European Liberalism
If you'd like to prompt some great discussions in your history class, this presentation will surely get your class talking. Addressing 19th century liberalism in Europe (including influences from England, France, America, and Ireland),...
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The Noble Savage - The Social Contract Rights and Freedoms of Modern Humanity
Students, in groups, research various philosophers and the historical context of their work. They discuss the necessity and interaction of laws, regulations and human freedoms and consider the importance of the Canadian government to its...
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Unit 12: Enlightenment and French Revolution
In this Enlightenment lesson, students respond to 34 short answer questions about John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Baron de Montesquieu, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, Denis Diderot, and Mary Wollstonecraft.
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People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s
In this people of the Enlightenment study guide worksheet, young scholars read the notes provided regarding Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire.
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Why do we need a Government
Learners explore some of the ideas of major importance to the Founders, why we need a government, and how the Founders believed governments should be created and what they should do. They think of a right that all people should have and...
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Revolution! Freedom for All?
Twelfth graders examine the causes of freedom by revolutionary patriots. In this Civics and Economics lesson plan, 12th graders analyze primary sources. Students work cooperatively to write a freedom declaration for their group.
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The Declaration of Independence
In this social studies worksheet, students locate 54 words relating to the Declaration of Independence in a word search. Students may self correct by selecting the link at the bottom of the page.
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The Declaration of Independence
Students reflect on the Declaration of Independence. In this U.S. History lesson, students read the Declaration of Independence then complete an activity and worksheet on the topic.
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How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?
High schoolers explain why a government with a constitution is not necessarily a constitutional government, and identify alternative models of government that the Founders had to choose from.
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The Enlightenment
For this online interactive world history worksheet, learners answer 20 fill in the blank questions regarding the Enlightenment. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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American Revolution and Constitution Take Home Assessment
In this early American history worksheet, students create posters that feature the branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution. Students also research founding ideals of the nation and use Venn diagrams to compare and...
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American Revolution and Constitution Take-Home Assessment
In this early American history instructional activity, students draw diagrams of that feature the responsibilities of each of the 3 branches of the federal government and then create their own original visuals that highlight the...
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Why did the Homestead Strike turn violent?
Fifth graders practice reading skills while looking at different accounts of The Homestead Strike. In this reading skills lesson, 5th graders practice sourcing, close reading, and corroboration through reading a timeline and primary...
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Separation of Powers
Eighth graders explore and explain the responsibilities and limits of our national system of government. After reading various selections documenting the viewpoints of the federalists and anti-federalists and the separation of power,...
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The Fall of the Roman Empire and the Armenian Tragedy of 1915
Students examine the fall of the Roman Empire and the Armenian tragedy. In this world history lesson plan, students read handouts about both world history events and create presentations that feature the events.
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The Government and Natural Rights
Students are introduced to some basic ideas the Framers used in creating the kind of government they thought would best protect the natural rights of each individual and promote the good of all. At the conclusion of the lesson, they know...