The English Bill of RightsThe English Bill of Rights

16891689

The English Bill of RightsThe English Bill of Rights

A law passed by the English Parliament in A law passed by the English Parliament in 1689- gave certain rights to Englishmen1689- gave certain rights to Englishmen Limits power of the monarch Limits power of the monarch Shares more power with Parliament (the people) Shares more power with Parliament (the people)

What Rights did it Provide?What Rights did it Provide?

right to keep and carry weaponsright to keep and carry weapons right to a trial by juryright to a trial by jury right to free speech and debateright to free speech and debate right to maintain an army in times of peaceright to maintain an army in times of peace right to petition the governmentright to petition the government No excessive bail or cruel punishment for those No excessive bail or cruel punishment for those

convicted of crimesconvicted of crimes The monarch cannot declare laws made by The monarch cannot declare laws made by

Parliament to be disobeyedParliament to be disobeyed

Cato’s LetterCato’s Letter

1720, in Britain authors using fake names Cato 1720, in Britain authors using fake names Cato the Elder and Cato the Younger published a the Elder and Cato the Younger published a series of newspaper editorials series of newspaper editorials Became very popular in Became very popular in

American coloniesAmerican colonies Discussed many ideas Discussed many ideas

like like freedom of expressionfreedom of expression

““BIG IDEA”BIG IDEA”

RULE OF LAW: idea that ALL people must follow RULE OF LAW: idea that ALL people must follow the laws. Laws enforced fairlythe laws. Laws enforced fairly

SELF-GOVERNMENT: people can make decisions SELF-GOVERNMENT: people can make decisions on how they are governedon how they are governed

DUE PROCESS: rights to fair and reasonable laws DUE PROCESS: rights to fair and reasonable laws that officials follow when enforcing and treat all samethat officials follow when enforcing and treat all same

LIMITED GOVERNMENT: a government limited LIMITED GOVERNMENT: a government limited in power by a constitution or written agreementin power by a constitution or written agreement

RIGHTS: a set of things that people believe they RIGHTS: a set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions should be free to do without restrictions