A. State of Nature. Read the excerpt from Hobbes' book Leviathan and think about what you have already learned about Hobbes. Then complete the chart below describing life with and without government. Check the correct boxes for each condition.

"In such condition, there is no place for industry; ... no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

- from Leviathan

Without Government

• Life would be peaceful and productive.

• Everyone would have a right to everything.

© There would be a constant state of fear and

danger.

• Arts and science would thrive.

• People wouldn't have spare time to make things or farm the land.

© People would constantly fight with each other.

With Government

• Rules could be made and enforced.

• The life of men would be short, poor, lonely.

- People could expect protection from a ruler.

• There would more time to work, create, and discover.

• Power would be shared with everyone.

• People would give up some power and rights.

B. Cover Art. Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. Look at a portion of the title page from Leviathan and answer the questions below. (Look closely, the big guy in the middle is made up of people!)

1. List five things you see in this image.

2. Circle the item that represents monarchy, or the king.

3. Draw a square around the item or items that represent power.

4. How might this look different if Hobbes supported a democracy rather than a monarchy?

Part II: The Constitution—Fill in the blanks to complete the passage below.

The United States Constitution was written by _______________________ _____________________ during the summer of 1787. Though representatives from nearly all 13 colonies originally gathered in _______________________ to simply make changes to the _________________________ ______ ____________________________________, which served as our nation’s first governing document, all agreed early on to completely rebuild their government in what would become the United States Constitution. Delegates to what would come to be called the Constitutional Convention quickly came to several agreements--_______________________ ________________________ was chosen as President of the Convention, all agreed on the need for a stronger / weaker (circle one) national government, and they believed a ________________________ government would be best. Conflicts, however, grew over issues such as _________________________--settled by the Great Compromise which created a bicameral legislature with one house including 2 members from each state and the other house including a number of representatives proportional to the population of a state—and ________________________ (2nd conflict), settled by the Three-Fifths Compromise. Even after the basic organization of government was laid out, Anti-federalist argued that the document lacked sufficient protections for the rights of individuals and pushed for a _____________________ ____ ________________________, a formal summary of citizens rights in relation to the government. Once all parties were satisfied, the Constitution was sent to the states for ratification and was finally approved on _________________________ _______, ____________________.

Influencing U.S. Democracy: Enlightenment Thinkers

Activity: Working with a partner, you will be tasked with gathering information about one of 4 Enlightenment Thinkers and the ideas they contributed to the development of American government. Then, taking on the persona of your assigned philosopher, you will draft a speech to be made to the class in which you convey that philosopher’s ideas and beliefs. Use this sheet to document your cooperative efforts.

Assigned Enlightenment Thinker:

Part I: Gathering Information—use your textbook and given handouts to answer the questions below.

Background Information:

Where was the philosopher born?

What was his upbringing?

What was his job?

Where did he study?

What book(s) did he write?

Philosophical Ideas:

What influences contributed to this thinker’s ideas?

Did this philosopher believe people could govern themselves?

Is humankind good or bad (according to him)?

Beliefs in Government:

What did this thinker believe is the best form of government?

Did this thinker contribute any new political ideas?

Part II: Compose a Speech—compose a 2 minute speech introducing your philosopher. Your speech should:

        ____        Include a brief biography

        ____        Cover the thinker’s philosophy on Government/basic beliefs

        ____        Be presented in a clear and concise fashion

OR

        Write a Letter - write a letter, taking on the persona of your philosopher, to Thomas Jefferson in which you:

        ____     Include a brief biography

        ____     Provide advice on how American government should be structured

Part III: Closure—Typing your response below, respond to the following essay prompt as a pair to reflect on the contributions of all 4 philosophers to the development of American government:

The U.S. Constitution was influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment Thinkers such as Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes, and Montesquieu. Select two philosophers. Describe and compare the ideas they contributed to the development of American democracy.

Answer the following questions

Influencing U.S. Democracy: Enlightenment Thinkers

Activity: Working with a partner, you will be tasked with gathering information about one of 4 Enlightenment Thinkers and the ideas they contributed to the development of American government. Then, taking on the persona of your assigned philosopher, you will draft a speech to be made to the class in which you convey that philosopher’s ideas and beliefs. Use this sheet to document your cooperative efforts.

Assigned Enlightenment Thinker:

Part I: Gathering Information—use your textbook and given handouts to answer the questions below.

Background Information:

1. Where was the philosopher born?

2. What was his upbringing?

3. What was his job?

4. Where did he study?

5. What book(s) did he write?

Philosophical Ideas:

6. What influences contributed to this thinker’s ideas?

7. Did this philosopher believe people could govern themselves?

8.Is humankind good or bad (according to him)?

Beliefs in Government:

9. What did this thinker believe is the best form of government?

10. Did this thinker contribute any new political ideas?

Part II: Compose a Speech—compose a 2 minute speech introducing your philosopher. Your speech should:

____ Include a brief biography

____ Cover the thinker’s philosophy on Government/basic beliefs

____ Be presented in a clear and concise fashion

OR

Write a Letter - write a letter, taking on the persona of your philosopher, to Thomas Jefferson in which you:

____ Include a brief biography

____ Provide advice on how American government should be structured

Part III: Closure—Typing your response below, respond to the following essay prompt as a pair to reflect on the contributions of all 4 philosophers to the development of American government:

The U.S. Constitution was influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment Thinkers such as Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes, and Montesquieu. Select two philosophers. Describe and compare the ideas they contributed to the development of American democracy.