Final answer:
Enlightenment philosophers and British governmental practices were influential in the creation of the U.S. government, providing principles and practical examples to draw from.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States founding fathers looked to a variety of sources when establishing their new government. The principles of enlightenment philosophers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau had a profound impact on American political thought. Locke’s notions of natural rights and government by consent, Rousseau’s idea of the general will, and Montesquieu’s advocacy for the separation of powers were all influential. The founders also learned from British governmental practices, including the importance of parliamentary procedures and legal precedents. Documents such as the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights played a role in shaping American ideas about the rule of law and individual rights. The American Revolutionary War itself, along with the experience of self-government in the colonies through their own legislative assemblies, provided practical experience and a desire to improve upon the systems they knew.