The Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution were driven by people who dared to think outside of the box and challenge what they had been taught. In order to understand how these events developed and who played an influential role, students can create mini biographies of the main thinkers of the Enlightenment, or the Philosophes. Students will detail each thinker's background, beliefs/ideas, and the long-term impact..
The chart must include the following Enlightenment thinkers:
Students may also want to research additional Enlightenment thinkers and contributors to the Scientific Revolution and compare and contrast the different ways of thinking that emerged during this time.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a character map with mini biographies for the main Philosophes of the Enlightenment.
Encourage students to apply Enlightenment philosophies to real-world scenarios by organizing a classroom debate. This activity will help them think critically and connect historical ideas to current issues, deepening their understanding and engagement.
Choose topics such as freedom of speech, separation of powers, or women’s rights to connect directly with the beliefs of key Enlightenment thinkers. This makes the debate meaningful and tied to your lesson objectives.
Have each student or group adopt the viewpoint of a specific Philosophe (like Voltaire, Montesquieu, or Wollstonecraft). This encourages empathy and a deeper grasp of each thinker’s unique contributions.
Prompt students to research their Philosophe’s beliefs and develop arguments using historical examples. Encourage them to cite specific writings or actions to strengthen their positions.
Act as a moderator to ensure all voices are heard and the debate stays focused on evidence and historical context. Highlight strong arguments and model respectful disagreement to foster a positive classroom climate.
The main Philosophes of the Enlightenment included Voltaire, Baron de Montesquieu, Mary Wollstonecraft, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Bonesana Beccaria, and Denis Diderot. These thinkers challenged traditional ideas and helped shape modern views on government, rights, and society.
A mini biography activity for Enlightenment thinkers asks students to create brief profiles detailing each Philosophe's background, beliefs or ideals, and long-term impact. This helps students understand key figures and their contributions to the Enlightenment.
You can compare Enlightenment thinkers by creating a chart or spider map that highlights each Philosophe's main ideas, background, and their influence on history. Discuss similarities and differences to deepen understanding of their impact.
Easy ways to teach about the Enlightenment in high school include character maps, mini-biographies, group research projects, and comparing thinkers' ideas. Visual organizers like spider maps help make complex ideas accessible.
Studying the Philosophes and their ideas helps students understand the origins of modern democracy, human rights, and scientific reasoning. It encourages critical thinking and shows how new ideas can transform society.