Major contributors to social contract theory Hobbes, Locke, Reasseau Social Contract Theory We need food, clothing and shelter to survive and nothing should interfere with our ability to obtain them. We may also choose to believe in a god. The belief gives definition to our existance. Therefore it is important we define ourselves as individuals. Enlightenment Influence on Constitution Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment Bill of Rights (Enlightenment) The first eight Bill of Rights Declaration of Independence (Enlightenment) people have rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Articles of Confederation weaknesses No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade Articles of Confederation - Strengths Provided direction for the Revolution, the ability to conduct diplomacy with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations. New Jersey Plan The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population. Virginia Plan Proposal to create a strong national government Constitutional Convention A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution Three-Fifths compromise Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment). Bicameral congress. Checks and Balances A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power Separation of Powers Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law Federalists A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures. Anti-Federalists