How does the US Constitution reflect the ideas of the Enlightenment?

Answer 1

One of the leading voices during the Enlightenment was that of john Locke. Locke was adamant about the "natural right" of human beings. These rights included life, liberty, and property. Locke claimed that in order for these rights to be protected, persons must give up a certain amount of sovereignty to the limited powers of a government. Baron de Montesquieu was an admirer of John Locke. Montesquieu agreed with Locke's arguments for limited sovereignty. He believed in a separation of powers and system of checks and balances, and that one person or body should not have power over every area governing control. It was his contributions to political thought and theory that influenced the developers of the United States Constitution, and a government that is framed around separate branches of power.

Answer 2

Such as Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau?

a. It focused on art and literature form the Renaissance, as well as government policies that had served populations well in earlier days
b. It reflected the thinkers' ideas that human beings were corrupted by the evils of society and that they should make efforts to reduce these evils
c. The Enlightenment theory argued against placing too many limitations on people, so the framers of the Constitution established a government free of human restrictions
d. It viewed government in terms of a social contract and created an elected government, rather than a hereditary monarchy

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Answer 3

The idea of natural rights found in the U.S. Constitution reflects an influence of the Enlightenment. The notion that government derives its power from the people is another example.