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Influence On Constitution

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The United States Constitution has been heavily influenced by outside sources that took place throughout history. However, not all people know of these influences and their impact on our nation. In this work, we will look at just a few of these documents that shaped America into what it is today. These documents include the Magna Carta, which affected many of the rights Americans have today, the Social Contract, which is from a series of works shaping how people believed they had rights that could not be taken away, and the English Bill of Rights, which has to do with how much power the government gets and how it maintains that power.
WHAT INFLUENCED THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION 3
Throughout history, there have been a number of documents …show more content…

The Declaration of Independence itself was actually heavily influenced by the ideals held in the Magna Carta, which in term affected the United States Constitution. Some examples of these ideals are the people having freedom and guaranteed rights that the government cannot take away, as well as other government limiting tactics. This is shown from a quote directly from the Magna Carta, “No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned or disseised, or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him or send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the Law of the Land.”. This is also shown in the Constitution in multiple parts, however some stand out more than others. “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States...” (U.S. Const. amend. XIV) is one of these instances. This quote in particular stands out as it states that there are certain rights that cannot be taken away, whilst still maintaining a governmental …show more content…

The English Bill of Rights was established in 1689 when King James II continuously abused his power over the State. This document was actually quite like the Magna Carta and gave forth to the idea that no laws should be enforced nor should other governmental acts be established, such as creating more taxes, without the permission of the Parliament. These actions are also shown in the United States Constitution as it influenced our shared powers, both within the states and the three branches of government, insuring no higher power has absolute control over the country. “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” (U.S. Const. amend. X) is an example of this; this amendment insures that the people still hold their own

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