Asked by ruth

What is the best example of the influence of Enlightenment ideas on state constitutions?
Responses

parliamentary structure; the early state constitutions all copied Pennsylvania's model and had a unicameral (one house) legislature

parliamentary structure; the early state constitutions all copied Pennsylvania's model and had a unicameral (one house) legislature

state of nature; the state constitutions all contained Jefferson's provision that all laws expire every 17 years and have to be passed again

state of nature; the state constitutions all contained Jefferson's provision that all laws expire every 17 years and have to be passed again

popular sovereignty; the people ratify the constitution and then vote for government

popular sovereignty; the people ratify the constitution and then vote for government

judicial review; the state constitutions all created special boards of censors to review and reject bad laws

judicial review; the state constitutions all created special boards of censors to review and reject bad laws

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
popular sovereignty; the people ratify the constitution and then vote for government

Explanation: Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Rousseau) emphasized consent of the governed and popular sovereignty. Early state constitutions reflected this by being ratified by the people, including bills/declarations of rights, and creating elected governments. The other choices are either inaccurate or far less widespread (not all states used Pennsylvania’s unicameral model; Jefferson’s “expiration” idea wasn’t adopted broadly; special censor boards were rare).