Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Two Treatisies on Government

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides selections from John Locke's "Two Treatisies on Government." It contains evaluations on the sections 'Of the State of Nature' and 'Of Political of Civil Society.'
Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson introduces students 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 end of the lesson, students...
Primary
University of Chicago

U. Of Chicago/ Popular Basis of Political Authority

For Students 9th - 10th
Excerpts from John Locke's famous 1689 work "Two Treatises of Government" where he discusses his political ideas that came to influence the U.S. Revolutionaries.
Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Enlightenment Ideas and the Founding Fathers

For Students 7th - 8th
A tutorial that looks at the ideas from the Enlightenment that influenced the Founding Fathers, particularly those of John Locke and Montesquieu. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
PPT
University of North Carolina

American Self Government: The First & Second Continental Congress [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 12th
Looks at the significant events and decisions of the First and Second Continental Congresses that piloted the movement towards self-government.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: By What Right [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Two opposing philosophies concerning the relationship between government and its citizens were expressed by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke in the 17th century. Compare these two philosophies and see how they were related to the colonists'...
Website
Other

University of Alabama: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview in note form on social and political philosophy comparing Plato, Locke, and Hobbes. Scroll to "natural rights" which the author discusses in context for understanding the political and social philosophies of these political...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Debate and Compromise

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The 18th-century statesmen who met in Philadelphia were adherents of Montesquieu's concept of the balance of power in politics. This principle was supported by colonial experience and strengthened by the writings of John Locke, with...
Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf]

For Teachers 11th
In this instructional activity, 11th graders examine the events and political philosophy that laid the foundations of the American government, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also look at what role religion played in...
Website
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Religious Rights in Conflict

For Students 9th - 10th
What happens when rights conflict? Explore sample conflicts: Free press vs. fair trial, religious rights in conflict, and Singapore: model society or city of fear? Great learning activities and lesson plans for teachers and students.
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Text Sets: Political Theory

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
As governments form and change over time, they look to political philosophers to answer important questions about governance. This text set covers some of the world's most influential political thinkers. This collection includes 10...
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Declaring Independence [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Follow the steps that Americans took before declaring their independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence set out the ideals and reasons behind this stunning move. Use the student exercises to understand the different levels...