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1628 BCE
Limited Government
Limited government was enacted by the English to limit the power of the monarchy through a constitution. Specifically, the English used the Petition of Right while the US used the three branches of government and the Constitution. -
1215 BCE
English Roots
The Magna Carta took away some of the King's power over his citizens due to the fact that he abused his power. This also led to the rule of law, where the government has to enact clear and fair laws, and key in building the United States government. -
Period: 1200 to
English Roots
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Period: to
English Englightenment
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke
Hobbes and Locke created the social-contract theory which said that people in society would give up some of their freedom in order to have security and order. The US still uses this idea; for example, by citizens relinquishing freedom in return for protection through police -
Natural Rights
The idea that every person has basic rights because they are human tying back to Jefferson's idea that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
Baron de Montesquieu
Montesquieu argued that government should be run in such a way that no one person has supreme power over any other group or person. This was mostly put in place to avoid oppression or domination. Because of this idea, the US created the three-branch government to avoid a dominating leader. -
Jean-Jacques Rosseau
In Rousseau's book, The Social Contract, he added to Montesquieu's idea through popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty is the general will of the people which was advocated for in the US.
