Founding Fathers Opinion Essay

On September 17, 1787, 39 of the colony’s brightest men convened to sign a document, consequently changing the course of the world. The Constitution of the United States of America set the newborn nation on course to become an economic powerhouse, an uncontested military force, and a global symbol of freedom. How did the founding fathers build a political frame in one document that would last through time and allow America to escalate at an unparalleled rate? The country’s framers recognized the unique opportunity presented to them to start a government from scratch. They wanted to raise up a country stable enough to withstand world wars, natural disasters, and political division. In order to do so, the founding fathers leaned upon several different intellectual sources, two of which include John Locke and James Harrington. The ideas presented by Harrington and Locke were considered dangerously radical, but proved to be a leap for mankind in the

After living his entire life under the rule of English monarchs, he was inspired to write Second Treatise of Government. One of the most important aspects within his manifesto is that “government could have but a single end… to protect the rights of citizens.” (Fox and Pope 32). Almost exactly 100 years later, a group of concerned delegates would hold fast to the same beliefs and demand the addition of the Bill of Rights. Thus they outlined the rights that the American government must safeguard for them and their posterity. Moreover, Locke directly defied the authority of his government when he taught “authority for all legitimate government does not come from God … but rather from the people themselves.” (Fox and Pope 31). Thus we see, that the only way a government is genuine is if the people have a direct say in the way they are led and who is leading. A republic government with representatives that speak on behalf of the mind and heart of the