AP WORLD / STUDY ROOM
← Unit 5: Revolutions
Topic 5.1 · c. 1750–1900

The Enlightenment

Thinkers questioned inherited authority and argued over rights, government, and society. Their ideas influenced reformers and revolutionaries, though access to rights remained unequal.

Topic 5.1 / Review

The big picture

What to know

Thinkers questioned inherited authority and argued over rights, government, and society. Their ideas influenced reformers and revolutionaries, though access to rights remained unequal.

Example 1Locke

Locke argued that government should protect natural rights and rest on consent.

Example 2Rousseau

Rousseau wrote about popular sovereignty and the social contract.

Example 3Wollstonecraft

Wollstonecraft challenged the exclusion of women from claims about rights.

Try it yourself

Check your understanding

01 / Multiple choice · 3 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Feedback appears below it.

Question 01

Which example fits this clue? This example argued that government should protect natural rights and rest on consent.

Question 02

Which example fits this clue? This example wrote about popular sovereignty and the social contract.

Question 03

Which example fits this clue? This example challenged the exclusion of women from claims about rights.

02 / Write with evidence

Write a short response

How did new political ideas challenge old power?

  1. Make a claim that answers the question.
  2. Use two examples from the review.
  3. Explain how the examples support your claim.
See a model response

Thinkers questioned inherited authority and argued over rights, government, and society. Locke argued that government should protect natural rights and rest on consent. Rousseau wrote about popular sovereignty and the social contract.

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Quick study check

Before opening another resource, explain these examples from memory. Reveal each explanation to check yourself.

Locke

Locke argued that government should protect natural rights and rest on consent.

Rousseau

Rousseau wrote about popular sovereignty and the social contract.

Wollstonecraft

Wollstonecraft challenged the exclusion of women from claims about rights.

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