Influences on American Government MAGNA CARTA ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS MAYFLOWER COMPACT DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE JOHN LOCKE BARON DE MONTESQUIEU

Magna Carta “Great Charter” Magna Carta was the first grant by an English king to set detailed limits on royal authority. Through its statement of liberties, it sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power and it made clear that the king was subject to the law, not above it. This is now known as the “Rule of Law”

Magna Carta • Signed by King John in 1215 • Was an official document • Was signed at Runnymede • Became Law • It had been forced on him by the Barons • Promised freedoms to all people • Protected the rights of ordinary people • It prevented the King from doing as he pleased.

English Bill of Rights The purpose of the English Bill of Rights was to set clear limits on royal power. The English Bill of Rights ended the belief in the "Divine Right of Kings". The King cannot suspend laws without the consent of Parliament. The King cannot raise money without the consent of Parliament. The King cannot prosecute people for petitioning him. The King cannot raise a standing army in time of peace without the consent of Parliament.

Mayflower Compact Forty-one men signed the Mayflower Compact by which all agreed to establish a Civil Body Politic. (temporary government) and be bound by its law. This was the first such self-government in the New World. It was contract signed by colonists agreeing to follow laws and govern by mutual consent.

Declaration of Independence Affirmed that all men have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness… rights given to them by God. Listed the grievances against England Asserted that an oppressed country has the right and responsibility to throw off a tyrannical government.

Ideas used in the formation of our Government! The idea that people can govern themselves took hold during the Age of Reason. John Locke A famous political scientist, reasoned that people are born free. That all people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Government is an agreement between ruler and ruled. The ruler must enforce the laws and protect the people. If a ruler violates the people’s natural rights, the people have a right to rebel. People can set up a government with written laws and give it “limited” powers to protect ones’ natural rights. He called this the Social Contract. If the ruler did not honor the contract, then the people had the right and obligation to replace them. John Locke

Teachings of the Enlightenment Baron de Montesquieu The Spirit of the Laws The powers of government should be clearly defined. There should be a separation of powers, that is, the powers of government should be divided up among branches of government so no person or group gains too much power. Our Congress, President and Supreme Court were established with these principles, separate and governed by a system of checks and balances which keep them equal.