One of the strongest philosophical influences on the founding fathers and drafters of the constitution was the.
Enlightenment of the 1700s. This philosophical movement sought to limit the power and influence of the church.
and royalty. It replaced absolutism and theocracy in Europe with governments based upon reason and the will of.
the people. The thoughts and reasoning of the European Enlightenment can be clearly seen in the foundation of.
American government by the Constitution.
In 1690 John Locke came up with an idea. This notation, called the social contract, that held an.
unwritten contract or argeement existed between the people and their rulers. This allowed the government to rule.
and in exchange the contract protected the rights of the people. If the government fails to protect these rights.
the people, they can replace that government with a new system. In addition, the American Revolution ended the.
social contract.
Baron de Montesquieu in 1748 believed that governments functioned best when powers of government.
were not concentrated into the hands of the one person or group. Checks and balances was the idea of.
separating power. It was further developed by not only dividing powers, but allowing the various parts of.
government the ability to oversee and limit the actions of the others. Whithin th US Federal Government, there.
are three branches. The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branch. For example, the president may view laws.
passed by the US Congress, the Congress impeach the President and the Supreme Court can declare.
unconstitutional a law of congress or action of the President.
In the 1800s, Americans had constantly desired more land, constantly expanding the bonds of the.
colonies in an effort to grow, mainly for increased or better farmland as well as to accomondate a steady flow of.
immigrants. This philosophy was also known as the Manifest Destiny. It was inspired by a young America's.
