Final answer:
The Constitution's creators drew inspiration from Enlightenment thinkers John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu, among other varied sources, to craft a government that balanced the rights of the individual, the states, and the need for a strong national government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The men who wrote the Constitution were inspired by the works of John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu. The founding fathers were well-read and lived during an era when new ideas about government and rights were emerging. They drew heavily from Enlightenment political thought, particularly from figures like Montesquieu, who proposed the separation of powers within a government, and Locke, who emphasized natural rights theory, suggesting that all people are entitled to life, liberty, and property. The Constitution's design reflects these ideals as well as others taken from various sources, such as the Iroquois Confederacy, state constitutions, and the purposes of government as stated in the Preamble. This deep commitment to a balanced government that respected the rights of individuals and the sovereignty of states has been a continuing effort, part of the evolving fabric of the United States.