Final answer:
The founders of the United States were inspired by European Enlightenment philosophers, adopting concepts such as constitutionalism, natural rights, and the separation of powers into the U.S. Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way the founders of the United States were inspired by European philosophers was through the formation of the idea of constitutionalism, derived from Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu. Locke's influence is particularly evident in the belief that all individuals are entitled to the natural rights of life, liberty, and property, while Montesquieu's idea of separating powers among different branches of government to avoid tyranny was also integral to the United States Constitution. These concepts were reflections of the broader European Enlightenment, which championed rationality, individual liberty, and the construction of a government based on the consent of the governed.