Origins and Foundations of
American Government
Session 2: Influence of Locke, Hobbes, and Montesquieu

Materials

• Internet access

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web sites may be helpful in the search for the philosophies of Locke, Hobbes, and Montesquieu in fundamental documents of American government:
•    "John Locke," Youth Leadership Initiative.
<http://www.youthleadership.net/index.jsp>
•    "Thomas Hobbes, 1588-1679." New School University. <http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/hobbes.htm>
•    "Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu."New Advent. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10536a.htm>
•    "Virginia Constitution of 1776," "Declaration of Independence," and "United States Constitution." Founders' Constitution.
<http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/>

1. Divide the class into six teams (two teams will be working on the same document). Have students examine the political principles of limited government, consent of the governed, and separation of powers and determine where these principles are present in the following three documents: Virginia Constitution of 1776, the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution.
   
   NOTE: This can become a lengthy but valuable exercise as students link the principles with the words from the three documents.
   
   
2. Have the class create a chart that links the phrases and concepts from the three documents so they can also understand better how three documents, written close together and in some cases by some of the same writers, were influenced to such an extent by the writings of Locke, Hobbes and Montesquieu.