1. Influences on the Constitution

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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