The American Revolution and Enlightenment ideas
I can describe the role the Enlightenment played in causing the American Revolution.
The American Revolution and Enlightenment ideas
I can describe the role the Enlightenment played in causing the American Revolution.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Enlightenment ideas were discussed and debated among the educated classes in Europe during the 1600s and 1700s.
- The American people did not have representation in the British parliament which created their heavy taxes and laws.
- When the American settlers challenged England on these issues, they were ignored, leading to war.
- The American people declared their independence from Britain in 1776.
- America secured the new republic with the US Constitution and inspired similar unrest in France at the end of the 1780s.
Common misconception
The Declaration of Independence was signed after the settlers defeated the British in the Revolutionary War.
The Declaration of Independence was signed early on in the Revolutionary War and the US Constitution was signed after the war had concluded.
Keywords
Enlightenment - the Enlightenment was a movement in the 1600s and 1700s that promoted the use of reason and questioned authority
Social contract - a social contract is an agreement that rulers should govern in a way that benefits the people in exchange for having power over them
Colony - a colony is an area under the control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country
Settlers - settlers are people who have arrived to live in a new area of land
Constitution - the basic principles or laws which govern a country are known collectively as a constitution
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
when one group has total control over an area of business or trade
when a statement or idea appears to contradict itself
taking control of another country & taking advantage of its resources
agreement that rulers should govern in a way that benefits the people
Exit quiz
6 Questions
an area under the control of another country and occupied by settlers
collective name for the basic principles/laws which govern a country
people who have arrived to live in a new area of land