September 8, 2014 Objective: Understand and explain the significance of four (4) landmark English documents that influenced the American colonies

MAGNA CARTA PETITION of RIGHT HABEAS CORPUS ACT ENGLISH BILL of RIGHTS

 The Great Charter  First document to limit the king’s power  Established critical idea that the monarchy’s power was not absolute  Included guaranteed fundamental rights such as:  Due Process – protection against arbitrary taking of life, liberty, and property  Trial by jury

 Government could not tax without consent  King could no longer imprison or punish any person but by the lawful judgement of his peers or the law of the land  Government may not impose martial, or military law or quartering of troops  Challenged the idea of the divine right of kings declaring that even the monarch must obey the law of the land

 Prevent unjust arrests and imprisonments  Government must present cause and evidence in order to detain suspect

 “Glorious Revolution” drawn up by Parliament to prevent abuse of power by English monarchs  Prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except by consent  All parliamentary elections be free  Right to a fair trial  No excessive bail or fines  No cruel or unusual punishment  Right to petition the king/government