2.Which of the following was not an influence on the Framers?
a.Plato's Republic
b.the Magna Carta
c.John Locke's Second Treatise on Government
d.the Mayflower Compact
A?
I agree.
To determine which of the given options was not an influence on the Framers, we need to understand the historical context of the Framers and their sources of inspiration.
The Framers refers to the group of individuals who were involved in drafting and creating the United States Constitution in the late 18th century. They were influenced by various political thinkers, documents, and historical events.
a. Plato's Republic: Plato's Republic is a philosophical work that discusses the ideal state and the nature of government. Although the Framers were undoubtedly familiar with the ideas presented in Plato's Republic, it was not a direct influence on their thinking, as they were more influenced by Enlightenment philosophers.
b. Magna Carta: The Magna Carta is a historical document created in 1215 in England. It established the principle that the king is not above the law and outlined some basic rights and privileges. The Framers were influenced by the principles of limited government and the idea that rulers should be subject to the rule of law, which were present in the Magna Carta.
c. John Locke's Second Treatise on Government: John Locke's Second Treatise on Government was a significant influence on the Framers. It promoted the concept of natural rights, the social contract theory, and the idea that governments are formed to protect the rights of individuals. The Framers drew heavily upon Locke's ideas in the formation of their own political philosophy.
d. Mayflower Compact: The Mayflower Compact was a document created in 1620 by the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It was an agreement between the settlers that established a form of self-government and the rule of law. The Framers were aware of the Mayflower Compact and its significance in establishing a self-governing community, making it an influence on their thinking.
By process of elimination, option (a) Plato's Republic was not a direct influence on the Framers compared to the other options. Though the Framers might have been aware of Plato's ideas, they were more heavily influenced by Enlightenment thinkers and their writings, such as John Locke's Second Treatise on Government.
Therefore, the answer is (a) Plato's Republic.