Enlightenment Ideas and the U.S. Constitution

Enlightenment Ideas and the U.S. Constitution

Enlightenment Idea	U.S. Constitution Concept
Locke A government’s power comes from the consent of the people	Preamble begins “We the people of the United States” to establish legitimacy. Creates representative government Limits government powers
Montesquieu Separation of powers	Federal system of government Powers divided among three branches System of checks and balances
Rousseau Direct democracy	Public election of president and Congress
Voltaire Free speech, religious toleration	Bill of Rights provides for freedom of speech and religion
Beccaria Accused have rights; no torture	Bill of Rights protects rights of the accused and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

 

As shown above, you can see how each of the Enlightenment thinkers' idea was used in the U.S. Consitution.