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Jun 19, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was an English document that created legal restrictions on the power of the king. It was forcibly created when a group of barons rebelled against King John in order to protect their priviliges. The Magna Carta formed a basis for constitutional rule by establishing the principle that a government has to follow it's own laws. -
Jan 1, 1248
Mexico
The Aztec empire consisted of city-states united under a common empire. The emperor, in turn, was elected from the royal family by a council of nobles who became his advisors. While not a perfect analogue, it is similar in principle to the elected executive of the American republic. -
Jan 1, 1258
Founding of Parliament
The English Parliament was originally a unicameral and later bicameral legislative body, with the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It was formed as a way for nobles and common citizens alike to play a role in government and resolve any grievances among the populace. The nature of Parilaiment (representing all, high and low) can be seen in the United States legislature - even high and low houses exist (the Senate and House of Representatives, repsectively), though for different reasons. -
Period: Jan 1, 1350 to Jan 1, 1500
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period of of cultural rebirth, resurgence, and educational reform. The Renaissance saw the development of Classical Republicanism, a political philosophy which extolled the virtues of the ancient Greek and Roman republics, and valued citizens who placed the public good and welfare of their nation above themselves and participated in government. The Founding Fathers were inspired by this train of thought, believing in active, participating (voting) citizens. -
Period: Jan 1, 1517 to
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a schism in the Roman Catholic Church which led to a period of major upheaval throughout Europe. Out of the chaos, it became generally accepted that practitioners of a religon could practice in an area where another held precedence - the dawn of freedom of religion. America was also largely founded by those fleeing religious persecution during this period, and later it was quickly established that the United States would maintain religious freedom. -
Period: to
American Colonial Governments
One common feature generally shared by the colonial governments were elected assemblies (albeit elected from and by a relatively prosperous class - free landowning men) who met to vote on issues and draft legislation (though it required a governor's approval). This representative (republican) government, with officials being elected to represent groups, is still in effect today. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was a document voluntarily signed by the colonists of Plymouth, binding them to obey a set of agreed-upon behavioral codes. The Mayflower Compact was significant to the U.S. because it was an example of a social contract. Under a social contract, the people agree to follow common laws in exchange for citizenship and its benefits, and one of the key principles that our society runs on. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was an English document that established several rights and restrictions that the King could not violate, restricting his power to tax, quarter soldiers, arbitrarily imprison, and declare martial law. This restatement of the power of the Magna Carta - limiting governmental power - played a role both in guiding the overall principles of limited authority in the future American government and in specific protected rights (ex. the Third Amendment). -
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Age of Enlightenment
The Enlightenment saw the dawn (or at least popularity) of ideas such as social contract theory, the natural equality of men under the law, and the representative nature of government. Such ideas form the core of American society. Our government focuses on representing its constituents and all citizens share the same inalienable rights, and follow the same laws. -
Habeas Corpus Act
The Habeas Corpus Act, passed in England, was a law that allowed citizens to contest imprisonment by the government, and requires it to have a legitimate reason for arresting them. Habeas Corpus is a powerful check on the abuse of governmental power and was adopted by the United States' Founding Fathers. -
John Locke (Second Treatise of Government)
John Locke was an English philosopher of the Enlightenment era, and is especially well known for his Two Treatises of Government. Of the two, the Second Treatise probably applies more to the U.S., as Locke sets out plans for a society based on natural rights and social contract theory, both of which were adopted as central aspects of American government, which includes a set of inalienable rights and operates as a social contract. -
English Bill of Rights
The third in a series of English documents limiting the power of the crown (and in this case, setting several restrictions and requirements for Parliament) and establishing protected rights for citizens. Again, the principle of restricting the power of government was and is applied in the U.S. government as well. Notably, this also established fixed terms for MPs, which would later be adopted under the U.S. Constitution. -
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Continental Congresses
The First and Second Continental Congresses pressured Britain over the Intolerable Acts and declared independence, respectively. This serves both as an example of social contract theory (the British Empire was supposed to look out for the colonies' interests, but instead throttled them - in return, the colonies revolted: right of revolution) and representative government, as the Congresses were comprised of elected delegates who were empowered to represent their colonies. -
American Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence separated the American colonies from the rule of the British Empire, emphasizing the violations of colonial rights perpetrated by the English government. This emphasis on inalienable rights remains a part of our core national identity, while also reinforcing the right of revolution proposed by Locke: that citizens have the natural right to revolt should the government fail in it's end of the social contract. -
Period: to
State Governments (Articles of Confederation)
Under the Articles of Confederation, America had a weak central government and each of the states operated as a nigh-sovereign power within it's own territory. The system was found to be ineffectual and was replaced by the Constitution, but it paved the way for the modern balance of power between the federal (which manages national interests) and state (which manage local interests) governments. -
Australia's Secret Ballot
Tasmania prints a number of ballots at the public's expense, which are filled out in secret and collected via ballot box. This quickly spread to other countries, including the U.S., as it prevented the government (or unscrupulous individuals) from harassing citizens to vote a certain way (as they will never know if the voter did or did not). -
Second Reform Act
Britain passes a law which almost doubles the electorate by relaxing the standards on who can vote (though it still required a landowning or rent-paying resident male). As time went on, such relaxation of voting standards continued in the United States as well, which originally included, like Britain, only landowning males but now encompasses all citizens. -
New Zealand's Universal Suffrage
New Zealand was one of the first countries to have universal suffrage for women (though it still took decades for them to actually attain political office). Suffrage in America became an increasingly important issue as time passed, as women demanded the right to vote, asserting the principle that they were equal to men and should thus have the same rights. -
Period: to
Civil Rights Movement
The final step towards universal voting (and true legal equality for all citizens) in the United States. Through a combination of legal action and a public campaign, African Americans finally obtain one solid confirmation of their rights via the Voting Rights Act of 1965.