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The Magna Carta And English Bill Of Rights

Decent Essays

The U.S. Constitution, drafted by the founding fathers at the constitutional convention, drew from several historical documents, ideas, and figures in order to “form a more perfect union.” Among these influences were the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights, originating in England. However, the U.S. sought to differentiate from England, in order to be better than what they had recently gained independence from. In order to do so, the founding fathers referenced The Mayflower Compact, The Articles of Confederation, Social Contract Theory, Classical history, and Montesquieu. Through the inclusion of these ideas, the United States Constitution made improvements to Great Britain’s government system. The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights defined large parts of Great Britain’s constitution. The United States originally being English colonies, the U.S. Constitution draws multiple ideas from the two documents. In the year of 1225, King Henry III issued the final version of the Magna Carta for the purpose of keeping the monarch’s powers in check after King John’s unpopular, tyrannical rule. The Magna Carta brought about parliament, as well as the right to a fair judicial system, and granted freedoms and rights to citizens and barons. Many of the rights granted in the U.S. Bill of Rights originate from Magna Carta, such as the right to a jury of one’s peers. The English Bill of Rights adds onto the Magna Carta, written in 1689 under William and Mary in response to King

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