Lesson Plan
iCivics

Why Government?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Why Do Governments Exist? Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, and Rousseau

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
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...
Interactive
Curated OER

Leviathan

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Leviathan by Hobbes. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Four Enlightenment Thinkers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Where in the Latitude Are You? A Longitude Here.

For Teachers 5th
Students distinguish between latitude and longitude on the map. In this mapping lesson, students participate in mapping skills to recognize spatial relationships, and where to find natural resources on the map. Students create...
Interactive
Curated OER

The Social Contract

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about The Social Contract by Rosseau. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet. 
Interactive
Curated OER

Discourse on Inequality

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive philosophy activity, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Discourse on Inequality by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raids and Arrests of Enemy Aliens

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Student read background summary information and debate how much control did the government require to keep the nation safe. They research how World War II restrictions on enemy lines were enforced and how it related to the U.S....
Website
Other

Modern Political Theory

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a question and answer format on the theories of Locke and Hobbes. It answers questions about the political system and social contract, as well as theorizing about the state of nature and rights of man.
Article
Oregon State University

The Elements of Law Natural and Politic

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides the entire text document of "The Elements of Law Natural and Politic" by Thomas Hobbes. This is a detailed document and very informative.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Thomas Hobbes Mini Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Thomas Hobbes was one of the first of his era to discuss the idea of the social contract. Explore his views on government and his famous book, Leviathan.
Handout
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Thomas Hobbes: Methodology

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, which is provided for by the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, gives a detailed biography of the life of Thomas Hobbes, including a discussion of his philosophy.
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'...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Why Government?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Dig into philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke's ideas and see how they've influenced those that have followed in their footsteps.