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Influence of Enlightenment Ideas
- John Locke’s natural rights: life, liberty, property → Jefferson adapts to "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."
- Social contract theory: Government exists only with consent of the governed.
- Right to revolution: If a government becomes destructive of rights, people can abolish it.
Intellectual Influences of Primary Documents
- Magna Carta (1215): Limited government, due process.
- English Bill of Rights (1689): Protection of rights against tyranny.
- Mayflower Compact (1620): Self-government.
- Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776): Explicit protections of individual liberties.
Ideas/Principles that Shape the U.S. as a Constitutional Republic
- Popular sovereignty (government derives authority from people).
- Rule of law (government must follow law).
- Limited government (checks on power).
Contribution to Expansion of Civil Rights Over Time
- “All men are created equal” later used in abolition, women’s suffrage, civil rights movement.
- Set the precedent for equality and liberty as guiding principles.

Influence on the U.S. as a Constitutional Republic
- Written by John Adams, served as a model for the U.S. Constitution.
- Included separation of powers, checks and balances, and a bill of rights.
- Helped inspire the structure of federal and state constitutions.

Intellectual Influences
- Fear of centralized power (reaction to British monarchy).
- Preference for state sovereignty.
Ideas/Principles Shaping the U.S.
- “League of friendship” → emphasized cooperation among states.
- First attempt at representative government on a national scale.
Strengths
- Managed Revolutionary War.
- Negotiated Treaty of Paris (1783).
- Established process for admitting new states.
Weaknesses
- No power to tax.
- No national army.
- Weak executive.
- One vote per state (unequal representation).
Connection to Constitution
- Exposed need for stronger central government.
- Led to creation of a more balanced federal system.

Intellectual Influences
- Expanded republican government westward.
- Established a system for admitting new states as equals.
- Protected civil liberties and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
- Demonstrated rule of law and orderly growth.

Authors: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay.
Federalist No. 10: Factions are inevitable; large republic best controls them.
Federalist No. 14: Large republic can succeed with representation.
Federalist No. 31: Balance of power between state and national governments.
Federalist No. 39: Constitution establishes a federal system, not purely national or state.
Federalist No. 51: Checks and balances, separation of powers.
Ideas/Principles
- Advocated strong central government balanced with liberty.
- Encouraged ratification of the Constitution.

Enlightenment Influence
- Montesquieu: Separation of powers.
- Locke: Natural rights and consent of governed.
Intellectual Influences
- Magna Carta: Limits on government.
- English Bill of Rights: Individual liberties.
- Mayflower Compact: Self-government.
Ideas/Principles Shaping U.S.
- Popular sovereignty, republicanism, federalism.
- Rule of law and limited government.
Expansion of Civil Rights
- Later amendments (13th, 14th, 19th, etc.) expand liberty and equality.
Arguments in Favor of Ratification
- Stronger union, better national defense, protection of liberty with checks and balances.

Intellectual Influences
- English Bill of Rights.
- Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Expansion of Civil Rights
- Foundation for freedoms later extended (civil rights, due process).
Ideas/Principles
- Freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, assembly.
- Rights of accused, protection against tyranny.
Arguments in Favor of Ratification
- Protected individual liberties from federal power.
- Helped persuade Anti-Federalists to support Constitution.

📜 Additional Documents