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600 BCE
Democracy in Ancient Greece
The Greek democracy was created in Athens. It wasn't representative but actually direct, which led to twenty-year-old male citizens taking part. In an action called sortition, the officials were elected by the assembly.
The Greek law influenced the Canadian government by introducing democracy and how it operates. The Canadian government also borrowed certain laws, like having a jury during a trial.
https://homework.study.com/explanation/how-did-greek-law-influence-canadian-law.html -
26 BCE
The Roman Empire
The largest empire to exist at the time was the Roman Empire. The capital of this empire was Rome, which was located in the Mediterranean area. The empire was split into two different places (eastern and western), which were ruled by two different emperors. The western part of the empire was attacked by Gothic invasions, during which the empire started to decline. This empire existed from 27 BC to AD 476.
The Canadian government was influenced by the Romans common law and civil law traditions. -
1142
Iroquois Confederacy
The Iroquois Confederacy is composed of five Indian tribes (later six) that played a role in the struggle between the French and British for authority in North America. The six tribes are called Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. The main purpose of the Confederacy was to promote peace among themselves.
The Confederacy influenced Canada by having the Iroquois ally themselves with Britain against the French. Later, the Confederacy showed defeat in 1784. -
Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
The first piece of literature to show the idea that a monarch and the government were not in the power of the law This document was to prevent the monarch from using his power and put a barrier between the law and royalty. The document was signed by King John on June 15, 1215. This was allegedly the very first document that showed citizens their rights.
With ideas such as the rule of law and usual law principles, These laws contribute to our Constitution. -
John Locke
John Locke believed that instead of the citizen being obligated to the government, the government should be obligated to the citizen. Loke was one of the first people to stand up and make a statement announcing that if a person or group of people does agree with their government, those people can have the power to change it.
Locke influenced the Canadian government by proposing ideas of natural law, religious toleration, social contact, and revolution. -
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes is an English political and materialist philosopher who believes the only type of government that should have authority is "absolute" sovereignty. He thought this was because this government would be able to settle conflicts between selfish citizens. He believed that this order could help people be at peace and avoid danger.
Thomas Hobbes's social contract theory has influenced our government by showing us that our society will not be built well on an unstable government. -
Divine Right of Kings
The Divine Right of Kings is someone (usually a king) who is "chosen" by God and is liable to only God. Almost giving a king full rights to have power over his people. For example, the Catholic Church is ruled by the Pope by appointment. The Divine Right of Kings influenced the Canadian government by giving the monarch almost full power to rule. In the Treaty of Paris of 1763, King Louis the 15th of France became the last absolute monarch to reign over Canada. -
Revolutionary Ideas/The American Revolution
The American Revolution was a political and military struggle between 1765 and 1783. During this time, thirteen British North Americans rejected imperial rule. One of the causes of the American Revolution was the taxation acts without the general representation of Britain's monarchy and parliament.
The impact the American Revolution had on Canada was that about 40 loyalists came to Canada and transformed it into what Canada is today. -
Revolutionary Ideas/The French Revolution
The French Revolution was between 1787 and 1799. It was a crucial social disturbance to change the relationship between those in power and the people they were in control of. They wanted to "redefine the nature of political power(Britannica).
The most noteworthy impact the Revolution had on Canada was the creation of upper and lower Canada and the fact that Britain was to rule over Canada. -
British Parliament
The parliament is made up of three main roles: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarchy. The majority of business takes place in houses. The role of the parliament is to observe and make decisions for scrutiny, legislation, debating, budgets, and taxes.
The influence the Parliament has on Canada is how Canadian government stems from the Westminster (British) tradition. We both have similar laws and a constitutional monarch. -
Social revolutions/ The great depression
The Great Depression was a massive economic breakdown across the world. The collapse of the economy affected government politics, the collapse of money, bank failures, and unemployment.
The Great Depression has influenced Canada by triggering the beginning of social welfare and a variety of populist political movements. This led the government of Canada to take more initiative in the country.