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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.