POLSC201
Unit 3 Essay Assignment
The Founding Fathers and Enlightenment Thought
Summary
During the United States’ revolutionary era (1763–1787), the political philosophies of
Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and John Jacques Rousseau all served as influences in
the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—two of the most
important documents in American history. At this time, the British colonies in North
America were struggling to break free from what they viewed as a tyrannical and unjust
monarchial system of rule. After they declared their independence from Great Britain in
1776, they were faced with the monumental task of creating a republic that would
balance respect for individual rights with a strong national government.
The men at the forefront of this debate are most commonly known as the Founding
Fathers, political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution
and were the key architects in the creation of the United States of America as embodied
in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Many of these men came
of age during the “Enlightenment Era,” a cultural movement of intellectuals in
eighteenth-century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to
reform society and advance knowledge. Included in this group of philosophers were
Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Their writings had a profound influence on men who
sought guidance on what was essentially a grand experiment in governance.
Related Readings
• 2.2: The University of Adelaide’s publication of Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan
(Chapters 13, 17, 18)
• 2.3: Project Gutenberg’s version of John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government
(Chapters 2, 3, and 10–13)
• 3.2: Constitution.org’s version of G.D. Cole’s translation of Jean-Jacques
Rousseau’s Social Contract or Principles of Political Right (Book 1)
Instructions
For this assessment, you will use selected texts from Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau to
determine how their perspectives on the state of nature, society, and government are
reflected in the ideals put forth by the Founding Fathers. After reviewing the materials
in the “Related Readings” section, read about the history of the Declaration of
Independence and the U.S. Constitution in addition to the actual texts, found here and
here. For the U.S. Constitution, focus on the Preamble, Articles I–VII, and the first ten
amendments (also known as the “Bill of Rights”), which will assist you in composing
your answers.
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/courses/polsc201/#3.2
The Saylor Foundation
Saylor.org
Page 1 of 2
Write three short essays (between 2–3 paragraphs each) comparing the central themes
of government and the distribution of power in Hobbes’ “Leviathan,” Locke’s “Second
Treatise of Government,” and Rousseau’s “Social Contract or Principles of Political
Right” to those found in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. How
are the latter texts reflective of the former? In other words, where specifically might the
Founding Fathers have found inspiration while writing these documents, either explicitly
or implicitly, in the works of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau? On what issues may the
Founding Fathers have parted ways with the authors? Be sure to provide direct quotes
from the relevant texts in your argument.
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/courses/polsc201/#3.2
The Saylor Foundation
Saylor.org
Page 2 of 2