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689 BCE
John Locke
He published a book about the natural rights held by every human being. Locke's ideas about natural rights helped to form the way we think about individual rights today. -
510 BCE
Ancient Greece
The greeks established the Assembly, a body of citizens that made decisions and voted on issues that affected everyone. All citizens could participate. -
Period: 500 BCE to 476 BCE
Ancient Roman Empire
It was not a true representative democracy, because not all of its important officials were elected. However, citizens were allowed to vote for some of their representatives, and if these representatives did not please the people, they could be voted out and replaced. -
1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta set the stage for the idea that even governments should be accountable to the law. -
Petition of Right
Petition of Right was a statement of civil liberties sent by the English Parliament to Charles I. -
English Bill of Rights
The bill creates separation of powers, limits the powers of the king and queen, enhances the democratic election and bolsters freedom of speech -
Iroquois
They believed in Great Spirit which was responsible for the creation of human beings, the plants and animals, and the forces of good in nature. They also believed that the Great Spirit indirectly guided the lives of ordinary people. -
Montesquieu
He wrote that power must be divided in government to prevent one part from becoming too powerful. -
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine published his highly popular "common sense" was the first pamphlet to advocate American Independence