This resource explores Enlightenment ideals, focusing on concepts such as Natural Rights and the Separation of Powers, which are foundational to modern democratic government. It provides a checklist for analyzing these concepts through primary source excerpts, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Activities prompt students to engage in critical thinking and apply their understanding of how historical philosophies influence contemporary governance, particularly through the lens of legal protections like the First Amendment. It encourages students to draw connections between historical ideas, government structures, and modern-day challenges regarding rights and freedoms.