Classical Republics 509

The Roman Republic is a great example of a classical republic, in which sovereignty rests with the citizens. Many of the historians of the founding area believed that the Roman Republic did the best job of promoting the common good. In fact three elements of classical republics influenced the founding generation of Americans. One was small uniform communities, in which people worked together for the common good. The second element was civic virtue and citizenship, basically we should put the common good of the society, before are personal liberties. The last element is moral education. Classical Republican thinkers believed that people needed to be taught civic virtue, and if people put there own interests above the common good then community life would suffer.

Magna Carta 1215

1215 was the year the Magna Carta was issued. The Magna Carta was a legal charter created in England. This legal charter limited the power of the King, and gave certain rights to citizens. Such rights included the right to a jury, and the protection of life, liberty, and property. The Magna Carta was an important piece of written law as certain principles from the Magna Carta would find its way into the U.S. Constitution. The rule of law is a perfect example of an element from the Magna Carta that found its way into the U.S. constitution. The rule of law states that every member of society even leaders must obey laws. Today everyone must follow the Laws set by our government. Basic Rights are also a part of the constitution; in fact our constitution has a bill of rights which lists the rights of U.S. citizens.

Creation of Parliament 1258

Parliament was created in the year 1258, when the Provisions of Oxford where set up by a group of Barons. This created a new form of government in which power was placed with a council of 15 members. Parliament meeting three times a year monitored the performance of the council. So for the first time the powers and rights of Parliament were recognized. Today Parliament is a two house legislature consisting of the House of Lords, which consists of people who are appointed because of distinguished service in law, business, sciences, ect. And the House of Commons, in which members are elected, not appointed. They hold office for a maximum of five years or till Parliament is dissolved. In the U.S. system of Government there are three branches of government, not just one parliament. These three branches consist of the legislative, executive, and judicial branch. The framers thought that the British monarch had too much power over parliament. So the Framers created a government of separate powers. Both members of the House of Representatives and Senate are elected.

Renaissance 1350-1500

From the 14th to the 17th century, the Renaissance was period marked by the revival of intellectual life. During this period there was a revival of ancient Greek thought, the establishment of the idea of individual rights, and the application of republicanism as in the case of Venice. The founders looked to the Renaissance for their ideas of individual rights, and the establishment of republicanism.

Reformation 1517-1650

After the Renaissance came the Reformation period, during this time people began to challenge the practices of the Roman Catholic church, and so these reformers broke away and began to form their own churches, but it didn’t stop there some reformers began to question these newly established churches. The American Colonies were settled manly by people looking to worship in there own way. Our own Constitution states that everyone has a right to worship their own religion. The founders believed that everyone has individual rights and ideals, and that the government should protect these rights.

Age of Enlightenment

The Age of Enlightenment was a period in which reason was advocated as the primary source of legitimacy. During this time traditional morals, customs, and institutions were questioned. The founders believed that studying history through reason and observation; they could understand the workings of governmental and social institutions. This understanding would help the founders construct a government for the United States. Many aspects of the Age of Enlightenment helped shape the U.S. government.

Petition of right 1628

The Petition of right was an important document passed by parliament in 1628.
It’s most notable principles included were that taxes can be levied only by parliament, in times of peace martial law cannot be employed, and prisoners can challenge there imprisonment through habeas corpus. Also it banned the billeting of troops. The U.S. Constitution includes habeas corpus located in Article One Section nine “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.” Also the Third Amendment mentions the billeting of troops.

John Locke 1632-1704

John Locke born August 1632 was an English philosopher.
Locke believed that the major role of government was to protect private property.
He said that every one was created equally with natural rights, and that kings had no divine right to govern. Locke also advocated the separation of powers in government.
The idea of the protection of private property is found in the U.S. constitution. Locke influenced many Americans. In fact several of the passages from the Declaration of Independence are taken word for word from John Locke’s Second Treatise.

English Bill Of Rights 1689

The Year is 1689 and parliament has just passed the English Bill of Rights, which included freedom from royal interference of law, freedom from taxation by Royal prerogative, freedom to petition the monarch, freedom from the standing army during a time of peace, freedom for protestants to bear arms in defense, as suitable to there class and as allowed by law, freedom to elect parliament without interference from the sovereign, and freedom of speech and debates. Many aspects of the English Bill of Rights are present in the United States Bill of Rights like the right to bear arms. The founders believed in a representative government which the English Bill of Rights stated was the only legitimate form of government.

Mayflower Compact 1620

The Mayflower compact signed in 1620 was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony, and was an early example of social contract theory. Many historians have referred to the Mayflower compact as the foundation of the U.S. constitution. This compact, written by some of the first English settlers in America, set the basis for American Government.

Colonial Goverments 1602-1776

The constitutions of these colonial governments shared these certain basic principles, fundamental rights, rule of law, representative government, governors, and courts. The colonial governments were more representative than the government in Britain. Many aspects of these colonial governments made it into the U.S. constitution. The fundamental rights of life, liberty and property are an important part of the U.S. constitution. The U.S. government is very much a representative government in which leaders are elected, and can only serve a certain number of terms. These colonial governments helped pave the way toward what our government is today.

Continental Congress 1774-1779

Moving on to the Continental Congress which met from 1774 to 1779 became the governing body of the United States during the revolutionary war. This Continental congress established the Continental army and issued a Declaration of Independence. After the creation of the U.S. constitution the United States congress was established. The United States Congress has more power than the Continental Congress had. But we can thank the Continental Congress for making the important decisions that led to America’s independence.

Decleration Of Independece 1776

The Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776, stated that the 13 colonies where independent states and no longer part of the British Empire. It listed grievances against King George III and asserted certain natural rights. In fact here is famous line from the Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The founders thought that are natural rights needed to be protected, so they declared independence from the British Empire and founded their own government in which these rights would be protected.

State Goverments 1781-1787

Last but not least let’s look at state governments. State governments are governments formed by each U.S. state. All states have a government similar to the U.S. government. The framers wanted a system of government in which Congress held more power than state governments, so they put a number of phrases in the constitution that stated the powers of national government over state governments. The framers also put limitations on national government so that there would be no abuse of power like they had seen in British history. Several aspects of the constitution protect individual rights from the national government.