Foundations
– Signed in 1215 by King John of England, this document limited the power of the monarchy for the first time by establishing that the king was subject to the law and granting certain rights to nobles, laying the groundwork for constitutional government.
Magna Carta
– A 1628 English constitutional document that challenged the divine right of kings, declaring that the monarch could not levy taxes without Parliament’s consent, imprison people without cause, or force citizens to house soldiers.
Petition of Right
– Enacted in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution, it gave Parliament authority over the monarchy, affirmed free elections, trial by jury, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, and influenced later democratic governments.
English Bill of Rights
– A political theory, developed by thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, stating that governments exist because people agree to give up certain freedoms in exchange for security and the protection of their natural rights.
Social Contract
– Fundamental rights and moral principles that are believed to be inherent to all people by nature or given by God, such as life, liberty, and property, which cannot be justly taken away by governments.
Natural Laws
– A system in which the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government have powers that allow them to limit the actions of the others, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful.
Checks and Balances
– A self-governing agreement created in 1620 by the Pilgrims before landing at Plymouth, establishing that decisions would be made by majority rule and that all settlers would follow the laws for the good of the colony.
Mayflower Compact
– A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that powerfully argued for American independence from Britain, criticizing the monarchy and advocating for a democratic republic.
“Common Sense”
– Written in 1776 by George Mason, this document proclaimed the inherent rights of men, including freedom of religion, press, and trial by jury, and served as a model for both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Virginia Declaration of Rights
– Adopted on July 4, 1776, this document, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, announced the American colonies’ separation from Britain, listed grievances against King George III, and asserted the right of the people to establish their own government.
Declaration of Independence