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Home , Rights of Englishmen

American Ideas About the of Man and How A Government Should Operate

The Framers of the Constitution were inspired by the following documents and people. (1215)

 In early 1200’s King John of England began to treat his nobles in ways they felt were unfair. He taxed without asking permission, and put them in jail and took their property without a trial if they refused to pay the taxes. Magna Carta (1215)

 Many of the Nobles banded together to resist the king’s efforts to take away rights they thought were theirs.  They met the king in a place called Runnymeade and forced him to sign a document called the Magna Carta or Great Charter. Magna Carta (1215)

 The Magna Carta put in writing ideas that are important to our ideas of democracy and rights.

1. Laws that even Kings have to obey. 2. No taxation except by legal means. 3. Right to a fair trial. Mayflower Compact (1620)

 When the Puritans left England to come to America to escape religious persecution, they were blown off course and landed in Massachusetts, which was outside a colony where there was government.  They signed an agreement to establish a government and abide by the laws they made. Mayflower Compact (1630)

 The Mayflower Compact established these ideas:

1. Established self government and majority rule. 2. A King is not necessary to have laws. 3. Laws can be made by the people for the good of the colony. English (1689)  King James II dismissed parliament and tried to restrict the rights of people in England.  Parliament offered the throne to William of Orange and his wife Mary. If they would agree to a Bill of Rights.  James had little support, and William and Mary were crowned in the Glorious Revolution English Bill of Rights (1689)

 The English Bill of Rights placed in writing many rights of Englishmen 1. Monarch’s cannot cancel laws or impose taxes without Parliament’s approval. 2. No cruel punishment, 3. Right to complain about unjust rulers without fearing imprisonment. 4. Laws are based on Parliament and not the desire of a king.  This establishes the idea that individuals have rights that no one can take away. Pair Share

 List three ideas that come from the Magna Carta

 List three ideas that come from the Magna Carta

1. Laws that even Kings have to obey. 2. No taxation except by legal means. 3. Right to a fair trial.

 What are the main idea that come from the Mayflower Compact?  What are the main idea that come from the Mayflower Compact?

 Self rule and majority rule  Why was the Mayflower Compact written?  Why was the Mayflower Compact written?  There was no form of government there so they had to create their own.

 What did the English Bill of Rights influence?  What did the English Bill of Rights influence?  The U.S. Bill of Rights  What ideas are contained in the English Bill of Rights?

1. Monarch’s cannot cancel laws or impose taxes without Parliament’s approval. 2. No cruel punishment, 3. Right to complain about unjust rulers without fearing imprisonment. 4. Laws are based on Parliament and not the desire of a king. (1632-1704)

 English philosopher who wrote about government. His ideas were read by and others. Became part of the Declaration of Independence. John Locke (1632-1704)

1. People are born with natural rights; life, liberty, and ownership of property. 2. Social Contract - People enter into a partnership with government. 3. Government promises to protect the people and people promise to obey the laws. 4. Unjust governments can be replaced. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

1. Book Spirit of the Law’s. 2. Three Branches: Legislative, Executive, Judicial. 3. Separation of Powers keeps individuals from gaining too much control. 4. Checks and Balances allows the branches to monitor one another. Pair Share

 List three ideas of John Locke included in the Declaration of Independence.  Governments get their powers from the people  If the government does not protect their rights they can change it.  People have rights that can not be taken away like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness  What is the major idea of Montesquieu which affected the thinking of the framers of the Constitution?  Separation of powers  Why is it important to separate power?  It prevents one person or a group of people to hold too much power.  What do we mean by checks and balances?  Different government bodies keep a watch on other groups to prevent abuses of power. Pair Share

 What was the document which listed some of the rights of the and served as a model for our Bill of Rights?  Who inspired Thomas Jefferson as he wrote the Declaration of Independence?  Who suggested that governments work best which have three separate branches?  What was a document written in North America which established self-government for the early colonists? 1. Said that government gains their powers from the people and they have rights like life, liberty, and ownership of property. 2. First document to limit the powers of the king. 3. Established the idea of self-rule and majority rule. 4. Created the idea of separation of powers. 5. Created the idea of no cruel or unusual punishments or fines. 6. Since there wasn’t a form of government there, they had to create their own. 7. If the Government doesn’t protect rights, the people have the right to change the government. 8. Different government bodies keep a watch on other groups to prevent abuses. 9. Can complain about the king without fear of punishment. 10.Right to a trial by jury of peers. 11.Governments got their power from the people with permission. 12.Separation of powers prevents one person or group of people to hold too much power. 13.Free election of Parliament and free meetings of Parliament. 14.King could not take away property. 15.Document that nobles forced King John to sign giving nobles and “freemen” rights that the king could not take away 16.French thinker during the Enlightenment period. 17.An English thinker who lived in the 1600s.