Question

Which of the following best identifies how Greek and Roman democratic ideals became part of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights?(1 point)

American political leaders wanted to create an alternative to classical republicanism for their government.

The American political leaders did not want any ideas from the English common law in their government.

The Enlightenment ignited American political leaders’ interest in these classical ideas and how to apply them to the present.

The American political leaders wanted to combine having a king with more classical democratic elements in the government.

Answer 1

The Enlightenment ignited American political leaders’ interest in these classical ideas and how to apply them to the present.

Explanation: Founding-era leaders were influenced by Enlightenment thinkers and by study of Greek and Roman republicanism (civic virtue, mixed government, separation of powers) and adapted those ideas when drafting the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The other choices are incorrect because the founders did not reject English common law, did not aim to preserve a king, and did not seek an alternative to classical republicanism so much as to adapt it.