Question

Writing Expository Paragraphs On the back of this paper, write one or two paragraphs explaining how the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution reflect Enlightenment ideas about government. Use the following
terms in your writing:
checks and balances federal system Bill of Rights

Answer 1

The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are foundational documents that embody Enlightenment ideas, particularly the principles of liberty, equality, and the social contract. The Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, asserts the inherent rights of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, reflecting Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, who emphasized that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. The Constitution, adopted in 1787, establishes a federal system of government that divides power between national and state authorities, ensuring that no single entity becomes too powerful. This is further exemplified by the system of checks and balances, which is designed to prevent any one branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—from overstepping its authority.

Additionally, the incorporation of the Bill of Rights into the Constitution in 1791 demonstrates the Enlightenment commitment to individual freedoms and protections against government overreach. The first ten amendments guarantee fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, ensuring that citizens' rights are enshrined and protected. Through these frameworks, both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution illustrate the Enlightenment belief in rational governance, the protection of individual liberties, and the importance of a government that is accountable to its citizens.