Influences on the ConstitutionInfluences on the Constitution

Foundations: Greece and Rome

• Democratic elements of ancient Greek civilization

• Aristotle’s classification of government

• The ancient Roman Republic

A Roman tribune presiding over a council of citizens

The Magna Carta

• Signed by King John of England in 1215

• Placed monarchs and magistrates under rule of law

• Established English common law

• Influenced the Fifth Amendment

Thomas Hobbes• Leviathan (1651)• Discusses the origin of

centralized government• Explains the “social

contract” theory• Early humans gave up a

“state of nature” for government’s protection

The cover of Leviathan depicts government as an unruly monster

John Locke• Two Treatises of Government

(1689)• “Natural rights” to “life,

liberty, and property”• Government responsible for

protecting the people’s rights

• The people have the right to change their government

John Locke

Montesquieu

• The Spirit of the Laws (1748)

• Classified government into three types:–Monarchies– Republics– Despotisms

• Developed the concept of separation of powers Charles de Secondat,

Baron de Montesquieu

Albany Plan of Union

• Proposed in 1754 by Benjamin Franklin

• Early attempt at uniting colonies

• Based in part on Iroquois Confederacy

• Never adopted, but served as a rough draft for Articles and Constitution

Benjamin Franklin’s famous “Join Or Die” cartoon, published to support the Albany

Plan of Union

The Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson (1776)• Does not institute a

government• Borrowed heavily from

Locke’s concepts of natural rights

• Designates government as protector of these rights

Thomas Jefferson