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1100 BCE
Iroquois
Around 1100 CE, the Iroquois- a group of native american tribes-also formed an alliance to work together a common goal. -
689 BCE
John Locke
Individual rights is a concept that comes from many different thinkers in many different cultures. John Locke was an english philosopher. In 689 CE, he published a book about the natural rights held by every human being. -
510 BCE
Ancient Greece
Parts of Greece became democratic. The idea of the government should get their power from the consent of the governed came from this era in Ancient Greece. -
500 BCE
Ancient Roman Empire
The beginnings of representative government could be seen in the ancient Roman Empire. By about 150 CE, the Roman Empire was at its height and stretched almost 2.5 million square miles. -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
For thousands of years, laws had applied to the people but not to kings or governments. Then, in 1215, English wrote the Magna Carta and included a very important section. -
Montesquieu
In 1748, Montesquieu wrote that power must be divided in government to prevent one part from becoming too powerful. Our founding fathers were influenced by Montesquieu when they designed our government. -
Bills of rights
Our founding fathers were very concerned that the majority might take advantage of the minority. In order to protect all individuals, they created the bill of rights an attached it to the end of the constitution.