Several historical documents helped shape the colonists' views on government, including:
1. Magna Carta (1215): The Magna Carta established the principle that the king was not above the law and guaranteed certain rights and liberties to the English nobility. This document influenced the colonists' belief in the rule of law and the importance of individual rights.
2. English Bill of Rights (1689): This document further limited the powers of the monarch and provided protection for individual rights, such as the right to a fair trial and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment. The ideas presented in the English Bill of Rights influenced the colonists' understanding of government and their assertion of individual rights.
3. John Locke's Second Treatise of Government (1690): Locke's treatise presented the concept of natural rights, arguing that individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property. This idea greatly influenced the colonists' belief in individual rights and the purpose of government to protect those rights.
4. Mayflower Compact (1620): The Mayflower Compact was a social contract created by the Pilgrims before disembarking the Mayflower. It established the idea of self-government and consent among the colonists, serving as an early example of democratic principles.
5. English Common Law: The colonists inherited the English legal tradition, which emphasized the protection of individual liberties and the rights of subjects. They relied on common law principles in resisting British policies they deemed unfair or in violation of their rights.
These documents, among others, played a crucial role in shaping the colonists' understanding of government and fostering the ideals of individual rights, limited government, consent of the governed, and the rule of law.
Which historical documents help shape the colonists views of government
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