Question

name: ____________ period: _ date: ______________ enlightenment, revolution & nationalism: mwh seminar prework directions: use your unit 1 ref. sheet, class notes & materials to answer the qs below. while there are more than 4 enlightenment ideas, choose the 4 you think were most influential and significant. round 1 q: what are the foundational enlightenment ideas and how did these ideas challenge the status quo? idea (identify + briefly explain) how did this idea challenge the status quo? 1 2 3 4 © 2021 - 2025 uncommon school, inc. all rights reserved.

Explanation:

1. Reason: Enlightenment thinkers emphasized the use of reason to understand and improve the world. This challenged the status - quo reliance on tradition and superstition. For example, in the realm of science, it led to new discoveries and the rejection of old - fashioned, unproven beliefs.
2. Natural Rights: The idea that all people are born with certain inalienable rights like life, liberty, and property. This challenged the feudal and monarchical systems where rights were often determined by social status. It led to demands for more democratic forms of government.
3. Separation of Powers: Proposed by Montesquieu, this idea divides government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It challenged the absolute power of monarchs by creating a system of checks and balances.
4. Popular Sovereignty: The belief that the power of the government comes from the people. This challenged the divine - right theory of kings, which held that monarchs were appointed by God and had absolute authority.

Answer:

Idea (Identify + briefly explain)	How did this idea challenge the status quo?
Natural Rights: Inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property for all.	Challenged feudal and monarchical systems based on social - status - determined rights.
Separation of Powers: Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial.	Challenged absolute power of monarchs through checks and balances.
Popular Sovereignty: Government power comes from the people.	Challenged the divine - right theory of kings.