Alabama Social Studies SS24.WH.1b

Social Studies9th GradeThe Age of Revolution

The Standard

SS24.WH.1: Explain how the Enlightenment influenced societies and inspired revolutions in Europe and the Americas.

Summarize the influence of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution.

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify Enlightenment ideas such as natural rights and government by consent. They explain how colonists used those ideas to argue for independence.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can connect Locke’s ideas about rights and government to an argument in the Declaration of Independence. They can point to a line in the document and explain the link in their own words.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat protests over taxes as Enlightenment ideas rather than colonial grievances. Some think Locke wrote the Declaration or that its promises applied equally to everyone in 1776.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Give students the line “governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Ask them to name the Enlightenment idea and explain how it supports independence.

Lesson moves

Give pairs cards with short excerpts from Locke and the Declaration; have them match related ideas and explain one match.
Ask, “When can people replace a ruler?” Have students answer using one line from the Declaration.
Play a card sort: students place natural rights, consent, taxation, and boycotts under Enlightenment ideas or colonial grievances.
Have students write a mock student council election flyer that argues leaders need voters’ consent, then compare its claim with the Declaration.

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