Locke and Hobbes were british Enlightenment Thinkers, who philosophies helped the newly American Government to shape its first Steps.
John Locke is considered the father of Liberalism, which it’s the State’s Duty to maintain and ensure the liberty of life and property. The Government would have to sustain those civil rights, as a Social Contract, which would avoid tyranny against human beings with goodwill. A good state will provide good humans. This Contract would be the basis of government legitimacy and was one of the influences of Thomas Jefferson’s drafts of the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Hobbes, the author of Leviathan, also defended the State, but as a strong institution. He didn’t attack the Absolutist State Form and was a resistant supporter, his position that men were unable to rule themselves influenced the initial American Governments. A strong leader that would personify the republican state was decisive to create the Central Government.
Among other philosophers, Locke and Hobbes were very important for the recent independent American Government to indicate how the nation was leading their people. The Constitution gathers both ideas in its articles. A State that would provide people all their liberties, but at the same time would be strong enough to keep their safety.
The personal independence thought by Locke is present on the articles that addresses about liberty (property, business, and basic civil rights), but also institutional independence (separation of power).
Hobbes defended a State that would provide security, with a leader to guide his citizens. Thomas Jefferson interpreted it not as a Monarch, but a democratically elected President, who would be a strong Head of State, able to pacify the nation and defend it.
