Enlightenment Role Play

Enlightenment Role Play

Step 1: Preparation

Before our role-play, you will need to:

  1. Read the assigned materials about the major Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, Hobbes, Smith, Wollstonecraft, Jefferson, Franklin, Kant, Paine).

  2. Take notes on each thinker’s philosophy, quotations, and impact so you’re familiar with their big ideas.

Step 2: Role Assignment

On the day of the activity, you will be randomly assigned an Enlightenment thinker to portray. You’ll receive a role card with background information, quotes, and talking points.

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Coffee House Discussion

Step 3: Coffee House Discussion ☕

We’ll transform the classroom into an 18th-century coffee house or Parisian salon. Imagine yourself debating over tea, coffee, or chocolate like the great minds of the Enlightenment.

At your tables, discuss the following big questions while staying in character:

Politics & Power

  • What is the purpose of government?

  • Should people have the right to rebel against rulers?

  • Should power be concentrated in one strong leader or divided among branches?

Economics & Society

  • Should government control the economy, or should markets be free?

  • Does inequality threaten freedom?

  • What is more important: liberty or security?

Religion & Ideas

  • Should religion guide government, or be separate from it?

  • Should people have the right to criticize leaders openly?

  • Are some ideas too dangerous to allow in public debate?

Step 4: Fun Challenges

After the coffee house discussion, we’ll spice things up with some challenges to keep you on your toes:

🔹 Chance & Die Rolls - Enlightenment Scenarios

I’ll occasionally roll a die to introduce random “events” into the discussion. For example:

  • 1–2: A pamphlet is published spreading your ideas → gain extra speaking time.

  • 3–4: Authorities censor you → your next comment must be made in whispers or riddles.

  • 5–6: A supporter or critic interrupts → you must quickly defend your ideas against an unexpected challenge.

🔹 Chance & Die Rolls - American Scenarios

  • 1–2: A Founding Father (Jefferson, Franklin, etc.) quotes your ideas in a famous speech → you get priority to speak next.

  • 3–4: A colonial critic attacks your ideas → defend yourself in 30 seconds.

  • 5–6: The Revolution breaks out around you → explain how your ideas apply to the crisis.

🔹 Class-Wide Debate

We’ll regroup for a full-class debate on the following resolution:

Resolved: The American Founding Fathers were right to build a republic grounded in Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.

  • Pro Side (most thinkers): Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, Wollstonecraft, Paine, Jefferson, Franklin, Kant, Smith — argue that Enlightenment principles shaped the U.S. system and made a republic the best form of government.

  • Con Side (mainly Hobbes): Argue that a monarchy or strong executive is more stable, that people are too selfish or chaotic to govern themselves, and that the Founders made a dangerous mistake by rejecting centralized authority.

🔹 “Crossfire Questions”

Students will get to ask other thinkers:

  • “Locke, would Rousseau’s ideas work in practice?”

  • “Voltaire, do you really believe religion has no role at all?”

  • “Hobbes, why should we trust your grim view of humanity?”

  • Hobbes, why should Americans trust a king after declaring independence?

  • Locke, how do natural rights apply to colonists fighting Britain?

  • Montesquieu, did the U.S. design the right balance of powers?

  • Voltaire, how should the new republic handle freedom of religion?

Stay in character as you answer.

🗣️ Mini-Debate Resolutions for Enlightenment Thinkers

Politics & Power

  1. Resolved: Government exists only to protect the natural rights of its citizens.

    • Locke, Jefferson, Paine → For; Hobbes → Against.

  2. Resolved: The people have the right to overthrow any government that fails to protect liberty.

    • Locke, Rousseau, Paine → For; Hobbes → Against; Montesquieu → With conditions.

  3. Resolved: A monarchy provides greater stability and security than a republic.

    • Hobbes → For; Jefferson, Franklin, Rousseau, Montesquieu → Against.

  4. Resolved: The separation of powers is the only safeguard against tyranny.

    • Montesquieu, Madison (via Jefferson/Franklin) → For; Hobbes → Against.

Economics & Society

  1. Resolved: Free markets, not governments, create the greatest prosperity for society.

    • Adam Smith → For; Rousseau, Wollstonecraft (inequality concerns) → Against or Qualified.

  2. Resolved: Great inequality is a threat to liberty and should be reduced by government action.

    • Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, Paine → For; Smith, Jefferson (with caution) → Mixed; Hobbes → Neutral.

  3. Resolved: Security is more important than liberty in building a strong society.

    • Hobbes → For; Locke, Franklin, Paine → Against.

Religion & Ideas

  1. Resolved: Religion should be entirely separate from government.

    • Voltaire, Jefferson, Franklin, Kant → For; Hobbes → Against (order requires religion); Rousseau → Qualified.

  2. Resolved: Freedom of speech is the foundation of a free society.

    • Voltaire, Franklin, Paine → For; Hobbes → Against (dangerous to order).

  3. Resolved: Some dangerous ideas should be censored to preserve public order.

  • Hobbes → For; Voltaire, Jefferson, Paine → Against; Kant → Against on principle.