1. P OLITICAL I DEAS THAT S HAPED THE US G OVERNMENT

2. D IVINE R IGHTS OF K INGS People had always been taught this principle God has chosen certain people to rule over others, therefore, people should obey their rule without question since that leader is God’s “vessel”

3. L AWS OF N ATURE AND N ATURE ’ S G OD Originated with William Blackstone who was an early English law expert He came up with this concept. Basically it says: There is a “divine law” that God has revealed that governs the created universe such as gravity, seasons, etc. He also states that God’s revealed laws also govern humans. Example: Thou shall not kill, etc.

4. S OCIAL C ONTRACT T HEORY Thomas Hobbes By contract people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order and the state protects them Remember that he did not believe that people could end the contract

5. J OHN L OCKE ’ S I DEAS Rights that cannot be taken away Life Liberty Property People have the right to resist an unjust law Governments are only legitimate if they have consent of people and protect basic rights Unalienable Rights Rights of Resistence of Illegitimate Government