Teacher Preparation Copy 1-per-student: Timeline Template/ Worksheet: Documents That Influenced Democracy Copy 1-per-class: READING Documents That Influenced Democracy

Objective Students will be able to List the principles of the Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689 Students will be able to List the principles of the Magna Carta (1215), Petition of Right (1628) and the English Bill of Rights (1689 ) by completing a graphic organizer.

Pair Share From where did we get our ideas to create the American political system of democracy we have today? Which important documents have had the most influence on our government?

Important English Documents The way our government works today can be traced to important documents in history:

DEMOCRACY

A contract between the nobles and King John to limit the monarch’s power and guarantee Certain individual rights The Magna Carta 1215

King John The Magna Carta

Gathering of knights, nobles, and leading citizens to vote on taxes and laws. Representatives of the people. Creation of the Model Parliament 1295

House of Parliament

Law prevents rulers from imprisoning people without reason. (Law still applies in the U.S. today) Habeas Corpus 1679

Creation of a Constitutional Monarchy 1689 Government where Parliament and a written constitution limit what the monarch can do. (Ends absolute rule & divine right)

English Bill of Rights 1689 Stated the rights of people and the limits of the government (freedom of speech, collecting taxes, use military)

Ideas of the rights of the individual and the limits that should be placed on government helped to encourage the American and French Revolutions.

Activity: Important Documents That Influenced Democracy Directions: Pairs - Read aloud the information about the Magna Carta, Petition of Right and the English Bill of Rights and complete the corresponding worksheet.

The Magna Carta 1215 A group of determined Barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. Weary of King John’s military campaigns and heavy taxes, the barons were seeking protection against arbitrary acts by King John. The Magna Carta included such fundamental rights as trial by jury and due process of law – protection against the wrongful taking of life, liberty, or property. This protection was originally meant for only the privileged classes, but overtime, all English people were protected. The Magna Carta also determined that the power of the monarch was not absolute.

Documents Influencing Early Government Magna Carta: 1215 Barons vs. King John Petition of Right: 1628 Parliament and Charles I English Bill of Rights: 1688 Parliament and Will/Mary of Orange  Trial by jury for political critics  Can’t rule by force  No quartering of soldiers  Monarchs must obey law of land (Constitution)  Trial by jury  Due process of law  Later, All people, not just privileged protected  Power of monarch not absolute (limited by the Constitution and it’s Articles)  Fair Speedy Trial  Parliament approves changes to laws  Freedom from excessive bail  No cruel and unusual punishment  Free elections

Petition of Right:1628 The Magna Carta was respected by some monarchs and ignored by others for 400 years. During this time, England’s Parliament, a representative body with power to make laws, slowly grew in influence. In 1628, when Charles I asked Parliament for more money in taxes, Parliament refused until he signed the Petition of Right. The Petition of Right limited the king’s power by demanding that the king not imprison political critics without trial by jury; not declare martial law, or rule by the military, during peacetime; nor require people to shelter troops without the homeowner’s consent. The petition challenged the divine right of kings, declaring that they also follow law of the land.

Documents Influencing Early Government Magna Carta: 1215 Barons vs. King John Petition of Right: 1628 Parliament and Charles I English Bill of Rights: 1688 Parliament and Will/Mary of Orange  Trial by jury for political critics  Can’t rule by force  No quartering of soldiers  Monarchs must obey law of land (Constitution)  Trial by jury  Due process of law  Later, All people, not just privileged protected  Power of monarch not absolute (limited by the Constitution and it’s Articles)  Fair Speedy Trial  Parliament approves changes to laws  Freedom from excessive bail  No cruel and unusual punishment  Free elections

The English Bill of Rights: 1688 In 1688, after years of revolt and turmoil, Parliament offered the crown to William and Mary of Orange during the Glorious Rebellion. To prevent William and Mary misusing their powers, Parliament, in 1689, drew up a Bill of Rights they had to agree to. The English Bill of Rights prohibited a standing army in peacetime (except with Parliaments permission) and required that all elections be free. It also declared that laws could not be changed without consent of the parliament. Also included the right to a fair and speedy trial, freedom from excessive bail, and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.

Documents Influencing Early Government Magna Carta: 1215 Barons vs. King John Petition of Right: 1628 Parliament and Charles I English Bill of Rights: 1688 Parliament and Will/Mary of Orange  Trial by jury for political critics  Can’t rule by force  No quartering of soldiers  Monarchs must obey law of land (Constitution)  Trial by jury  Due process of law  Later, All people, not just privileged protected  Power of monarch not absolute (limited by the Constitution and it’s Articles)  Fair Speedy Trial  Parliament approves changes to laws  Freedom from excessive bail  No cruel and unusual punishment  Free elections

Wrap-Up Discuss and Share Out with Partner What are the similarities of these documents? What are the differences? What is similar between these documents and the American Constitution?