Two Treatises Of The Constitution

When the U.S. Constitution was written there were many works and sources referenced. These works were from Enlightenment thinkers such as, Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Blackstone. Their ideas and beliefs are listed in our constitution and are applied in our everyday lives. While we did not always agree, there were many widely accepted ideas that were to be placed in the constitution. These ideas were ones that all colonist believed to be true and needed in order to run an extraordinary country that is for its people. Other ideas, however, had to be compromised upon. These compromises were not easy. In order to make this newly founded constitution work all participants had to find a happy medium. The brilliant Enlightenment

Locke wrote his book “ Two Treatises of Government” in this book he stated that he believed the government gained authority through the consent of the governed and that it was the duty of the government to protect the natural rights of the people. Locke believed these natural rights included the right to life, liberty, and property. In the U.S Constitution those natural birth given rights are listed as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Locke also believed that if the government failed to protect these rights the people had the right to overthrow the government and establish a new one. Thomas Jefferson summed up his ideas in the constitution. Rousseau wrote “ Social Contract.” In his writing he outlined a plan for democracy in which all people would participate and be involved in reducing special interest groups. We put his ideas to use by establishing a representative democracy in which all citizens have the opportunity to vote and have equal representation in the Senate while representation is based upon population in the House of Representatives. Voltaire wrote “ Treatise of Tolerance,” and in it his belief in religion and freedom from government sponsored