Final answer:
The ideas for the U.S. Constitution arose from Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Baron Montesquieu, the Articles of Confederation weaknesses, and the framers' own experiences and desires for a balanced federal system that would ensure the government's power comes from the consent of the governed.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the delegates were debating and writing the U.S. Constitution, their ideas about government and rights originated from a variety of sources. These included Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, who proposed the natural rights theory of life, liberty, and property, and Baron Montesquieu, who advocated for the separation of powers within a government.
The Articles of Confederation provided a framework that demonstrated the need for a stronger central government, prompting the framers to advocate for a balanced federal system within the Constitution. The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was the culmination of these ideas, discussions, and debates, ultimately leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution that acknowledged the concept that political power comes from the consent of the governed.