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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Medieval Latin for "the Great Charter of the Liberties"
is a charter agreed to by King John of England at Runnymede -
Thomas Hobbes
Known for his 1651 book Leviathan, which established the social contract theory that has served as the foundation for most later Western political philosophy. -
Mayflower Compact
Was the first written framework of government established in what is now the United States. -
Petition of Rights
Major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. -
English Bill of Rights
Creates separation of powers, limits the powers of the king and queen, enhances the democratic election and bolsters freedom of speech. -
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to reform or abolish "inadequate" government. -
Articles of Confederation of 1871
Loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments.