The English Revolution of 1688, the English Bill of Rights (1689), and the Enlightenment profoundly influenced the revolutions that followed. The leaders of the American Revolution, in particular, cited the influence of philosophers such as Hobbes and Locke as they asserted their right to overthrow a government they felt had become corrupt. While the English Revolution of 1688 did not result in a total change in government, its lasting effect cannot be debated. With the passage of the English Bill of Rights (1689), the rights of the citizenry became the foundation for many modern revolutions that reshaped geopolitics in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Read this essay that analyzes the various traditions that influenced the writing of the U.S. Constitution. The English Bill of Rights was among its most important influences. Then, examine the chart that reviews the Magna Carta. How does this analysis compare with your reading of the English Bill of Rights? How did this document pave the way for the U.S. Constitution?
Examine the documents and text included in this activity.
Excerpts from the Magna Carta (adapted from the National Archives translation):
[14] A freeman is not to be fined for a small offence except in accordance with the manner of the offence, and for a major offence according to its greatness, ...and none of these fines is to be imposed except by the oath of honesty and law-worthy men of the neighbourhood. Earls and barons are not to be fined except by their peers and only in accordance with the manner of their offence.
[19] No constable or bailiff is to take corn or other property from anyone who is not themselves from a village where a castle is built, unless the constable or his bailiff immediately offers money in payment of... If the person whose corn or property are taken is of such a village, then the constable or his bailiff is to pay for the purchase within forty days.
[28] No bailiff is henceforth to put any man on his law or on oath simply by virtue of his spoken word, without reliable witnesses being produced...
[29] No freeman is to be taken or imprisoned or deprived of his free
property or of his liberties or free customs, or outlawed or exiled or
in any way ruined, nor will we go against such a man or send against him
except by lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land. To
no-one will we sell or deny right or justice.
In the response box that follows, answer the following questions: