Influences On The Constitution
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Complete the tables to identify and discuss the various influences on the development of the U.S. Constitution.
Documents:
- What was it?
- What was its influence on the Constitution?
- Words each
Magna Carta:
- What was it?
The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a historic English charter that limited the powers of the king and established certain legal rights for nobles and, eventually, all citizens.
- What was its influence on the Constitution?
It introduced ideas of limited government, rule of law, and due process, which influenced constitutional principles such as the separation of powers and individual rights.
Mayflower Compact:
- What was it?
The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620, was a social contract among the Pilgrims establishing self-governance and majority rule in the Plymouth Colony.
- What was its influence on the Constitution?
It emphasized self-government and consent of the governed, foundational principles later embedded in American democratic practices and constitutional governance.
Articles of Confederation:
- What was it?
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, was the first constitution of the United States, creating a weak federal government with most powers retained by the states.
- What was its influence on the Constitution?
Its shortcomings led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, inspiring a stronger federal structure and the inclusion of checks and balances.
Declaration of Independence:
- What was it?
Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, the Declaration proclaimed the colonies' independence from Britain, asserting inherent rights and grievances.
- What was its influence on the Constitution?
It articulated fundamental ideals like liberty, equality, and the consent of the governed, shaping the philosophical foundation of the Constitution.
Philosophers:
- Why was he important?
- How did his writings influence the Constitution?
Thomas Hobbes:
- Why was he important?
Hobbes was an English philosopher known for his work on social contract theory, emphasizing the need for a powerful sovereign to maintain order.
- How did his writings influence the Constitution?
His ideas contributed to the understanding of a strong central authority necessary to prevent chaos, influencing debates on maintaining order versus individual rights.
John Locke:
- Why was he important?
Locke was an influential Enlightenment thinker who promoted natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and the idea that governments should protect these rights.
- How did his writings influence the Constitution?
Locke’s concepts of natural rights and government by consent heavily influenced the framers, evident in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution’s emphasis on individual liberties and limited government.
Political factions:
- Who were they?
- What were their beliefs about governmental structure and ratification of the Constitution?
Federalists:
- Who were they?
The Federalists were supporters of a strong central government and ratification of the Constitution, such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
- What were their beliefs?
They believed a strong federal government was necessary to maintain order, manage interstate relations, and promote economic growth. They favored ratification through the new Constitution and supported a system of checks and balances.
Anti-federalists:
- Who were they?
The Anti-federalists were opponents of the Constitution, including individuals like Patrick Henry and George Mason.
- What were their beliefs?
They feared that the new Constitution gave too much power to the federal government at the expense of states' rights and individual freedoms. They advocated for a Bill of Rights to protect citizens’ liberties before ratification.
References:
- Hadley, J. (2020). “Foundations of American Government.” Journal of Political Science.
- Levinson, S. (2006). “Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How to Fix It).”
- Wood, G. S. (1998). “The Radicalism of the American Revolution.”
- Ammerman, P. (2018). “The Influences of Enlightenment Thinkers on the U.S. Founding Fathers.” American Historical Review.
- Bailyn, B. (1992). “The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution.”
- Stacey, C. S. (2017). “The Articles of Confederation and its Impact on the U.S. Constitution.”
- Beeman, R. (2009). “The Since of American Political Ideas.”
- Ellsberg, R. (2014). “The Impact of Magna Carta on Modern Democracy.”
- Bastiat, F. (1850). “The Law.”
- Ryan, A. (2000). “The Political Thought of Thomas Hobbes,” in The Cambridge Companion to Hobbes.