Complete the following activity. You will write a five-paragraph essay in which you will choose one philosopher, historical document, and historical event, and discuss their influence on the creation of the United States Constitution. You should choose the source you believe were the most influential in drafting the Constitution. This essay will demonstrate your understanding of the origins of American government and the influences that gave it shape. In the process, you will use primary sources to support your ideas from the documents discussed in previous lessons and make a case for what you believe to be the most important influences on the Constitution’s stable, lasting nature.

Remember, your essay will answer the following questions: What is the history of the Constitution? What are some of the most important influences on it? How is it not just a document of 1787, but of hundreds of years before and of hundreds of years after? How did the Founding Fathers look to the past to prepare for the future?
Before you write your essay, study your Four-Column Charts. In each one, study at the fourth column and select one philosopher, one document, and one event that demonstrates the strongest evidence for having the greatest influence in creating a stable and long-lasting Constitution. Once you have made your choices, outline each element of the essay in bullet points as follows :

Paragraph 1:
Introduction – Compose a general introduction to the history of the Constitution and the important influences on its construction.
Thesis Statement – Write a thesis statement to respond to the general question: What are the influences that make the Constitution the enduring, stable document that it is? Choose one philosopher, one document, and one event to relate to the Constitution.
Paragraph 2:
Influential Philosopher – Cite the document’s title and author. Explain the historical significance of the philosopher/document and how his ideas appear in the Constitution and contribute to its stability and longevity. You may include other philosophers and their ideas if you like, but present an argument why you chose that specific philosopher.
Supporting Quotes or Ideas from Influential Philosopher – Choose 1–2 quotes from this document to support your ideas.
Paragraph 3:
Influential Document – Cite the document’s title and author. Explain the document’s historical significance of the document and how its ideas appear in the Constitution and contribute to its stability and longevity. You may include other documents and their ideas if you like, but present an argument why you chose that specific document.
Supporting Quotes or Ideas from Influential Document – Choose 1–2 quotes from this document to support your ideas.
Paragraph 4:
Influential Event – Describe the event. Explain the event’s historical significance of the event and how its ideas appear in the Constitution and contribute to its stability and longevity.
Supporting Quotes or Ideas from Influential Event – Choose 1–2 quotes/happenings from this event to support your ideas. You may include other events and their ideas, but present an argument why you chose that specific event.
Paragraph 5:
Conclusion – Revisit the main ideas expressed in each paragraph. Explain why you chose these three events/sources/people to justify your thoughts about the influences of the enduring, stable Constitution. Paraphrase and explain your thesis statement again.

https://www. connexus. com/extra/ThirdPartyProviders/Pears on/MagrudersAG/Supreme_Court_Glossa ry/constitution/constitution/index. html