THE MAGNA CARTA (1215) English Nobles force King John to sign it. Provides for a legislative body of elected representatives Parliament Parliament’s written laws carry more authority than the monarch (KING) Listed 62 liberties (freedoms & rights)

THE ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS (1689) King James II forced to step down William & Mary take the throne Parliament issued Bill of Rights to explain what happened. Lists violations of King James II Lays out the limits of the sovereign Explains the rights of Parliament and lists certain freedoms

JOHN LOCKE (1690) British philosopher Two Treatises of Government Believed that government was founded on a “social contract” to protect the individual’s rights to “life, liberty and estate.” Thomas Jefferson refers to Locke’s work when writing The Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence “America’s Break Up Letter to King George” These are the parts to the Declaration of Independence: 1.Preamble- They explained what was about to happen. 2. Statement of Beliefs- They explained how they thought the relationship was going to be or how it should be. 3. List of Complaints- They described specific things they found wrong with the relationship or situation. 4. Steps taken to address- They described how they tried to change the relationship or situation. 5. Declaration- They explained their final feelings and decision.

Part 1: Preamble- Explains the reasons for writing the Declaration. States it is necessary to politically separate (America and England). When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Part 2: Statement of Beliefs- All men are created equal. Rights given to them by their Creator not by the people running the government. They deserve life, liberty & happiness. 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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Part 3: List of Complaints- The founding fathers are describing the events the King has done against them, such as: Called for meetings to break people down in order to sign agreements. Keeping soldiers ready to fight against America. Cut off trade with others. Taxation without representation. No jury during a trial. Destroyed property and lives. Let’s look at the actual text!

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States. For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury. For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

Part 4: Steps taken to address- They described how they tried to change the relationship or situation. The colonists did the following before breaking apart from England: Warned them Reminded them of the situation Appealed to them But England “fell deaf” to their voices; therefore it was necessary for the colonists to take it to the next step. Let’s look at the actual text!

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice…

Part 5: Declaration- The colonies will now be independent from England and they will now be free, independent states. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved…

In other words, King… “It’s Too Late to Apologize”!