Lesson 4.

3 Ideas That Influenced the Constitution

Key Terms
republic
dictatorship
Magna Carta
English Bill of Rights
habeas corpus
separation of powers

Academic Vocabulary
devoted: characterized by loyalty and dedication
consult: to ask for the advice or opinion of another
free enterprise: the freedom of private business to organize and operate for
profit in a competitive system without interference by government
dependent: relying on another for support
will: a choice or determination of one having authority or power
contract: a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties
essential: of the utmost importance

Lesson Objectives
1. Identify what American leaders learned about government from studying
ancient Rome.
2. Summarize the traditions of freedom that Americans inherited from England
and from their own colonial past.
3. Describe how Enlightenment ideas shaped the development of the
Constitution.

Principles From the Roman Republic: Text

1. Determine Central Ideas Why were the ideas of independence and public
service so important to the founders? Use details from the text to support
your answer.

Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 4.3

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2. Cite Evidence The text indicates that the founders both admired the
Romans and were ultimately disappointed in them. In what ways were the
Romans admired? How were they disappointing? Use evidence in the text to
support your answer.

English Influences: Text

3. Determine Central Ideas What ideas in the Magna Carta were particularly
important to the Founding Fathers? Use details from the text to support your
answer.

4. Integrate Information From Diverse Sources How did the principles

embodied in the English Bill of Rights further develop the ideas in the Magna
Carta? Use details from the text to support your answer.

5. Identify Supporting Details What details in the text support the idea that
Americans had a long tradition of representative government as well as
written documents that identified the powers and limits of government?

Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 4.3

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6. Integrate Information From Diverse Sources How did the ideas
embodied in the Constitution reflect ideas that were expressed in the
Declaration of Independence? Use details from the text to support your
answer.

7. Analyze Interactions Among Ideas What concepts expressed by John

Locke also are expressed in the Constitution? How are they included in the
Constitution? Use details from the text to support your answer.

8. Analyze Interactions Among Ideas What concepts expressed by

Montesquieu are expressed in the Constitution? How are they included in
the Constitution? Use details from the text to support your answer.

Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 4.3

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9. Compare and Contrast How was the new system of government created
by the founders heavily influenced by the past, yet unlike anything that came
before it? Use details from the text to support your answer.

Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 4.3

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