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800 BCE
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece was one of the first civilizations to practice democracy -
27 BCE
Ancient Roman Empire
Ancient Rome gave us the concept of a republican government, which we now use today. It also was one of the innovators of the idea of separation of powers. -
1142
Iroquois
The Iroquois was another form of early democracy introducing representative form of government. It's speculated that they influenced the United States government early on. -
1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document signed by King John. It established a council of 25 barons to see John kept to the clauses, including access to swift justice, parliamentary assent for taxation, scutage limitations, and protection from illegal imprisonment. This was to prevent the king from doing any kind of unreasonable harm. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right is a major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. The Petition contains restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law. -
John Locke
John Locke was an English philosopher and regarded as probably one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. His contributions to republicanism and liberal theory strongly reflect in the US Declaration of Independence -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of rights was a british law passed by Parliament of Great Britain in 1689. It had a massive influence on many colonies including the United States during that age. It introduced the idea of basic human rights that are to be protected no matter what. It was one of the stepping stones to stopping any form of monarchy to abuse people's basic human rights. -
Thomas Paine
One of The Founding Fathers of The United States, Thomas Paine influenced man modern ideas which contributed to democratic thought. His "Common Sense" pamphlet was the first to advocate American independence -
Montesquieu
Montesquieu was a political philosopher that lived during the Age of Enlightenment. His work heavily inspired the Founding Fathers and the Constitution. He spoke about many theories including his most famous one, the separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions today.