Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Learners go to the heart of the causes of the American Revolution. Examining political cartoons, Enlightenment documents, and firsthand accounts, they present their ideas and reflective...

An excerpt from Michel de Montaigne's essay "On Cruelty" provides advanced readers an opportunity to polish their close reading skills. Scholars read the passage twice and then respond to the provided questions.

Why do people create governments? Where did we get our ideas about government? This is a fantastic introductory lesson for your American government class that begins by reviewing the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke in...

Students identify artists of the Neoclassical period and how they were influenced by major historical events during the Enlightenment as well as identify the Neoclassical style.In this Neoclassical art lesson,...

Students investigate the influence of the Enlightenment on American society and government. In this Enlightenment lesson, students work cooperatively in groups to define the principles of the Enlightenment, American...