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Period: 2200 BCE to 130 BCE
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece, was a very important civilization that existed from around 2200 BC to 130 BC Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century BC in the Greek city-state (known as a polis) of Athens, and is often described as the first known democracy in the world. -
Period: 500 BCE to 476
Ancient Roman Empire
The beginnings of representative government could be seen in the ancient Roman Empire. This civilization lasted from about 500 BC to 476 CE. By about 150 CE, the Roman Empire was at its height and stretched almost 2.5 million square miles. Rome was originally rules by kings, but eventually changed into a form of democracy. -
689
John Locke
John Locke was an English philosopher. In 689 CE he published a book about the natural rights help by every human being. Locke's Ideas about natural rights helped form the way we thing about individual rights today. -
1100
Iroquois
The Iroquois was a group of Native American tribes formed an alliance to work toward a common goal -
1215
Magna Carta
For thousands of years, laws had applied to the people but not to kings and governments. Then in 1215, the English wrote the Magna Carta and included a very important section: The king was no longer allowed to do whatever he wanted. Instead, the king had to follow the "law of the land" when dealing with his subjects. -
Petition of Right
Passed on 7 June 1628, the Petition contains restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law. -
Montesquieu
The United States government is divided into three branches: the Executive (President), The Legislative (Congress), and the Judicial (Courts). The first person to describe this kind of system in detail was French thinker named Montesquieu. IN 1748, Montesquieu wrote that power must be divided in government to prevent one part from becoming too powerful. Our Founding Fathers were influenced by Montesquieu when they designed out government. -
Thomas Paine
One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he authored the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution and inspired the patriots in 1776 to declare independence
In Common Sense, Thomas Paine argues for American independence. His argument begins with more general, theoretical reflections about government and religion, then progresses onto the specifics of the colonial situation. Paine begins by distinguishing between government and society. -
Bill of rights
Our Founding Fathers were very concerned that the majority might take advantage of the minority. In order to protect all individuals, they created the Bill of Rights and attached it to the end of the constitution. The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship.