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800 BCE
Ancient Greece
Each city-state had different governments and social organization. Direct democracy was introduced. -
753 BCE
Ancient Roman Empire
The Roman Empire had a bicameral legislature. -
1215
Magna Carta
It established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, even the king, and guarantees the rights of individuals, the right to justice and the right to a fair trial. -
Petition of Right
Set out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing -
John Locke
Locke expressed his view that government is obligated to serve the people, by protecting life, liberty, and property. -
English Bill of Rights
the rights and liberties of the individual were protected under English law. -
Montesquieu
Montesquieu introduced the idea of the separation of powers. -
Iroquois
The confederation of the 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by Iroquois -
Thomas Paine
Common Sense questioned the authority of the British monarchy to govern the colonies
