the Enlightenment was a movement in the 1600s and 1700s that promoted the use of reason and questioned authority

a social contract is an agreement that rulers should govern in a way that benefits the people in exchange for having power over them

when one group has total control over an area of business or trade, this is known as a monopoly

a paradox is when a statement or idea appears to contradict itself

colonialism involves taking control of another country and taking advantage of its resources and people

Enlightenment ideas: science and politics

History

The background to the Enlightenment

The American Revolution and Enlightenment ideas

Enlightenment ideas and the causes of the French Revolution

The impact of the French Revolution in the Atlantic world

The Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution

In this unit, pupils learnt about the Enlightenment and its emphasis on reason, science and progress. This foundation will be crucial in ‘The Industrial Revolution: did industrialisation revolutionise people's lives?’, where pupils will examine how the intellectual shifts of the Enlightenment contributed to the dramatic changes brought about by industrialisation.

In ‘The Renaissance: what do the artefacts of the Renaissance tell us about it?’, pupils explored how Renaissance art and culture reflected new ways of thinking. Building on this, this unit introduces the Enlightenment, where pupils will examine how ideas of reason and progress further shaped European thought.

In this unit, pupils learn about the Enlightenment and its impact on America, France, and the Atlantic World. They develop knowledge of the Enlightenment's background and ideas and consider its links to the 'Age of Revolution'.

The Enlightenment: what was the Enlightenment?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Which monarch formed the Royal Society in 1662?

The Enlightenment brought the inoculation of which disease to Britain?

Which Enlightenment philosopher criticised the amount of scientific experimentation that was taking place?

John Locke came up with the idea that there was an agreement in which people followed the laws of a government in return for protection and freedom, known as a ...

Adam Smith criticised the British East India Company's {{ }} on trade between Britain and India.

Which Enlightenment philosopher tried to separate humans into different classes of race?

The Scientific Revolution began in the {{ }} century.

'What is Enlightenment?' was written by ...

The {{ }} banned many books written by Enlightenment philosophers.

Philosophers such as John Locke in England, Voltaire in France and David Hume in Scotland demanded the separation of Church and ...

Some Enlightenment thinkers believed all races were {{ }}, but many did not.

Enlightenment ideas: science and politics

Lesson outcome

Content guidance