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1215
Established principle of "limited government."
Limited King's power by forbidding him from taxing without consent. Gave rights to free men, including trial by one's peers and the right to revolt if the King broke his part of the agreement. |
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1689
Established that English citizens had rights that no king could violate.
Rights included no taxes without consent, fair trials, freedom of speech, no loss of property or imprisonment without due process, and others. |
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1620
Written agreement that established a direct democracy in colonial America.
After a group of Pilgrims were blown off course, they landed in Massachusetts instead of Virginia. The men onboard the ship all agreed to form a government and to obey the laws that the government made. |
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January 1776
Published by Thomas Paine.
Argued that the colonies should break up with England because of the King's abuse of power. First time anyone argued that the people should govern themselves. |
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| Declaration of Independence |
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Definition
July 4, 1776
Written by Thomas Jefferson during Second Continental Congress.
Inspired by John Locke's view on "social contract."
Stated what a good government should do, stated why England and the King were bad governments, and stated that the United States of America were now independent from England. |
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