Download Democracy Develops in England

Teacher Preparation
Copy 1-per-student: Timeline Template/
Worksheet: Documents That Influenced
Democracy
Copy 1-per-class: READING Documents That
Influenced Democracy
Objective
 Students
will be able to List the
principles of the Magna Carta
(1215), Petition of Right (1628)
and the English Bill of Rights
(1689) by completing a graphic
organizer.
Pair Share
 From
where did we get our ideas to
create the American political
system of democracy we have today?
 Which
important documents have
had the most influence on our
government?
Important English Documents
The way our government works today can be
traced to important documents in history:
DEMOCRACY
The Magna Carta
1215
A contract between the
nobles and King John to
limit the monarch’s
power and guarantee
Certain individual rights
The Magna Carta
King John
Creation of the Model
Parliament
1295
Gathering of knights,
nobles, and leading
citizens to vote on taxes
and laws.
Representatives of the
people.
House of Parliament
Habeas Corpus
1679
Law prevents rulers from
imprisoning people without reason.
(Law still applies in the U.S. today)
Creation of a
Constitutional Monarchy
1689
Government where
Parliament and a
written constitution
limit what the
monarch can do.
(Ends absolute rule
& divine right)
English Bill of Rights
1689
Stated the rights of
people and the limits
of the government
(freedom of speech,
collecting taxes, use
military)
Ideas of the rights of
the individual and the
limits that should be
placed on government
helped to encourage
the American and
French Revolutions.
Activity: Important Documents
That Influenced Democracy
 Directions: Pairs - Read aloud
the information about the
Magna Carta, Petition of Right
and the English Bill of Rights
and complete the corresponding
worksheet.
The Magna Carta 1215


A group of determined Barons forced King John
to sign the Magna Carta. Weary of King John’s
military campaigns and heavy taxes, the barons
were seeking protection against arbitrary acts by
King John.
The Magna Carta included such fundamental
rights as trial by jury and due process of law –
protection against the wrongful taking of life,
liberty, or property. This protection was
originally meant for only the privileged classes,
but overtime, all English people were protected.
The Magna Carta also determined that the
power of the monarch was not absolute.
Documents Influencing Early Government
Magna Carta:
1215
Barons vs. King
John
Trial by jury
Due process of law
Later, All people, not
just privileged protected
Power of monarch not
absolute (limited by the
Constitution and it’s
Articles)
Petition of Right:
1628
Parliament and
Charles I
Trial by jury for
political critics
English Bill of
Rights: 1688
Parliament and
Will/Mary of Orange
Fair Speedy Trial
Can’t rule by force
Parliament approves
changes to laws
No quartering of
soldiers
Freedom from
excessive bail
Monarchs must obey
law of land
(Constitution)
No cruel and unusual
punishment
Free elections
Petition of Right:1628


The Magna Carta was respected by some monarchs
and ignored by others for 400 years. During this time,
England’s Parliament, a representative body with power
to make laws, slowly grew in influence. In 1628, when
Charles I asked Parliament for more money in taxes,
Parliament refused until he signed the Petition of
Right.
The Petition of Right limited the king’s power by
demanding that the king not imprison political critics
without trial by jury; not declare martial law, or rule by
the military, during peacetime; nor require people to
shelter troops without the homeowner’s consent. The
petition challenged the divine right of kings, declaring
that they also follow law of the land.
Documents Influencing Early Government
Magna Carta:
1215
Barons vs. King
John
Trial by jury
Due process of law
Later, All people, not
just privileged protected
Power of monarch not
absolute (limited by the
Constitution and it’s
Articles)
Petition of Right:
1628
Parliament and
Charles I
Trial by jury for
political critics
English Bill of
Rights: 1688
Parliament and
Will/Mary of Orange
Fair Speedy Trial
Can’t rule by force
Parliament approves
changes to laws
No quartering of
soldiers
Freedom from
excessive bail
Monarchs must obey
law of land
(Constitution)
No cruel and unusual
punishment
Free elections
The English Bill of Rights: 1688


In 1688, after years of revolt and turmoil, Parliament
offered the crown to William and Mary of Orange
during the Glorious Rebellion. To prevent William
and Mary misusing their powers, Parliament, in
1689, drew up a Bill of Rights they had to agree to.
The English Bill of Rights prohibited a standing
army in peacetime (except with Parliaments
permission) and required that all elections be free. It
also declared that laws could not be changed
without consent of the parliament. Also included the
right to a fair and speedy trial, freedom from
excessive bail, and protection from cruel and
unusual punishment.
Documents Influencing Early Government
Magna Carta:
1215
Barons vs. King
John
Trial by jury
Due process of law
Later, All people, not
just privileged protected
Power of monarch not
absolute (limited by the
Constitution and it’s
Articles)
Petition of Right:
1628
Parliament and
Charles I
Trial by jury for
political critics
English Bill of
Rights: 1688
Parliament and
Will/Mary of Orange
Fair Speedy Trial
Can’t rule by force
Parliament approves
changes to laws
No quartering of
soldiers
Freedom from
excessive bail
Monarchs must obey
law of land
(Constitution)
No cruel and unusual
punishment
Free elections
Wrap-Up Discuss and
Share Out with Partner
What are the similarities of
these documents?
What are the differences?
What is similar between these
documents and the American
Constitution?