The Development of Equality in the French Enlightenment

The Development of Equality in the French Enlightenment

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to give a balanced account of the development of the idea of equality within the French Enlightenment. You will also be able to give the view of 5 philosophes.

Introduce the lesson objective and what the students will learn.

What do you already know about the French Enlightenment?

Definition of Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in Europe during the 18th century. It emphasized reason and individualism rather than tradition.

Define the Enlightenment and its key characteristics.

The Idea of Equality

The idea of equality was a major theme of the French Enlightenment. Many philosophers argued that all individuals should be treated equally under the law.

Explain the significance of the idea of equality in the French Enlightenment.

Philosophes

There were many philosophers during the French Enlightenment, but we will focus on five: Voltaire, Montesquieu, Diderot, Rousseau, and Condorcet.

Introduce the five philosophers the students will be studying.

Voltaire

Voltaire believed in religious tolerance and freedom of speech. He also argued that all individuals should be treated equally under the law.

Describe Voltaire's views on religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and equality.

Montesquieu

Montesquieu believed in the separation of powers in government. He argued that this would prevent any one person or group from gaining too much power.

Explain Montesquieu's belief in the separation of powers.

Diderot

Diderot was the editor of the first encyclopedia. He believed in the importance of education and that all individuals should have access to knowledge.

Discuss Diderot's role as editor of the first encyclopedia and his views on education and knowledge.

Rousseau

Rousseau believed in the idea of the social contract, which argued that individuals should give up some of their individual rights for the good of society as a whole.

Explain Rousseau's belief in the social contract and its implications.

Condorcet

Condorcet believed that all individuals should have the right to vote and that this would lead to a more just and equal society.

Describe Condorcet's belief in the right to vote and its connection to a more just and equal society.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.