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The Enlightenment began in Europe and quickly spread to America. It was an age of scientific exploration and is also referred to as the “Age of Reason.” It was a different way of viewing the world – one in which things happened for concrete reasons rather than because God was pulling the strings. For example intellectuals began to think that there was a scientific reason why people got sick with small pox rather than because God was displeased.

Begin this activity by discussing what impact the Enlightenment had on American culture and political life.  Who would have been drawn to its ideas and why?

With two other students discuss what role you think the press played in the Enlightenment?

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