Magna Carta: Written in 1215, Signed by English nobles, Limited the power of the king, established due process and rule of law, Inspired the idea that government power should be limited and that leaders must follow laws, "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned... except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.", English Bill of Rights: Written in 1689, Signed by English Parliament, Guaranteed certain rights to citizens, required government to get consent from Parliament, Reinforced the idea of individual rights and limited government power, "The pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal.", Mayflower Compact: Written in 1620, Signed by male Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, Social contract for self-government, majority rule, Encouraged self-government and democratic decision-making in the colonies, "We... covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation.", Cato's Letters: Published between 1720-1723, Written by John Trenchard & Thomas Gordon (Colonists), Criticized corruption and tyranny, promoted freedom of speech, Encouraged resistance to oppressive government and support for free expression, "Freedom of speech is the great bulwark of liberty; they prosper and die together.", Common Sense: Published in 1776, Written by Thomas Paine (colonist), Argued for independence from Britain, criticized monarchy, Persuaded many colonists to support the Revolutionary cause and break from British rule, "A government of our own is our natural right... it is infinitely wiser and safer to form a constitution of our own.",

Colonial Influences

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