Unmask the Enlightenment's Paradox: Liberty, Equality, and the Stain of Slavery (Reading Comprehension Worksheet)

Spark critical thinking and ignite a powerful discussion about the complexities of history! This captivating reading comprehension worksheet, designed for middle and high school students, explores the jarring contradiction between the Enlightenment's ideals and the reality of slavery.

What sets this worksheet apart?

• Thought-provoking Narrative: Unravel the hypocrisy of Enlightenment thinkers who championed liberty while profiting from slavery.
• Meet the Key Players: Analyze the arguments of abolitionists and those who defended the institution.
• Primary Source Spotlight: Analyze a letter from Thomas Jefferson, revealing the contradictions within Enlightenment thought.
• Variety of Questions: Multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions cater to different learning styles and assess comprehension at multiple levels.
• Detailed Answer Key: Ensure clear understanding with a comprehensive answer key for all questions.

This resource is a valuable tool for:

• Deeper Learning: It encourages students to go beyond basic facts and analyze the limitations of Enlightenment thought and the complexities of social change.
• Stimulating Discussions: This worksheet ignites debate about historical injustices and the ongoing fight for equality.
• Test Prep: Reinforce key concepts and prepare students for standardized tests related to history and social studies.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to identify the contradiction between Enlightenment ideals and the practice of slavery.
• Students will analyze the arguments of Enlightenment thinkers who supported and criticized slavery.
• Students will evaluate the Enlightenment's impact on the abolitionist movement.

Recommended Common Core Standards:

• RI.6.1, RI.7.1, RI.8.1: Reading informational texts and citing evidence to support analysis.
• SS.6.W.1, SS.7.W.1, SS.8.W.1: Writing informative/explanatory texts on historical topics.
• RH.6.8, RH.7.8, RH.8.8: Evaluating historical sources and their credibility.

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