The English Bill of Rights: The Role Change for the Monarchy Essay

The Bill of Rights and Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen are based on the same principles of natural rights; therefore each document is similar in protecting the people's natural rights. However, despite their similarities, their differences are apparent due to the social situations in which they were adopted. The Bill of Rights stood to protect the freedoms of each individual by establishing a democratic government. The French Revolution eliminated the hierarchy of class and established equality among men with the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen. Several influences from past philosophers and documents assisted the frame work of the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Rights and Citizen.

The English Bill of Rights was a British law passed by the Parliament of Great Britain in 1689. The bill declared the rights and liberties of the people. The bill had a massive influence on the colonies in North America and the Constitution of the United States. It established a limited constitutional monarchy in Great Britain. It clearly established that the monarchy could not rule without the consent of Parliament.

Some of these objections include the king’s failure to be truthful, altering of government standards in order to make himself more powerful, and modifying punishment in the court of law to benefit or scrutinize individuals based on their statuses. Similarly, the Declaration first introduces its purpose and then proceeds to account for the grievances of the people. Being motivated by the ideas of Thomas Hobbes, the Bill of Rights was focused on a better life under the British

To further strengthen the rights of the people, The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. With only the first ten amendments, it is no accident that two amendments, 9 and 10, specifically define the Constitutions purpose to protect rights, given to the government from the people; and the powers of the government are “only those delegated to it by the Constitution on behalf of the people” (Spalding, Page 145).

The passing of the English Bill of Rights ushered in a new age for England, giving the power of the Monarchy to the Parliament, and banning the Monarch from adjourning Parliament or going against the opinion of its majority. The Bill lists that many tyrannical actions that had previously been made by many kings, such as levying money and suspending/revoking laws were illegal without the consent of Parliament (Document 3), essentially giving Parliament control of the direction of English law. The English Bill of Rights was ratified by William in 1689, which directly stated multiple times that the ruler’s power was to be checked by Parliament, thus inhibiting them from exercising full power over the people, preventing tyranny. He states in Document 2 that he and his wife Mary will “concur in everything that may procure the peace and happiness of [the] nation, which a free and lawful Parliament shall determine… [and support] the securing of the whole nation the free enjoyment of all their laws, rights, and liberties,

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

When King William and Queen Mary took power, they agreed to a bill of rights, which limited their power and gave more to the people; the people justified requiring this through John Locke's Two Treatises on Government, which spoke for citizens' unalienable rights and criticized the concept of divine right.

The Bill of Rights creates separation of powers, limits the powers of the monarchs, and enhances the democratic election and bolsters freedom of speech. By creating checks and balances as well as absolute monarchy slowly becoming obsolete and constitutional monarchy becoming a thing of the future. The significance of the English Bill of Rights brought a more democratic system in the English political structure. The transition for absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy was a rough one for England, but would help the ideas of the Enlightenment era long with the structure of the Declaration of

The Bill of Rights—which is listed in the U.S. Constitution as the first ten amendments—did not exist prior to the Revolution. The Federalists (those who crafted and created the U.S. Constitution) created the Bill of Rights to accommodate the wants of the Democratic-Republicans, who feared that the new strong central government in America would impose upon the rights of all Americans to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, a phrase found in the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. This gave many Americans numerous rights, besides the right to “life, liberty, and property” (the Constitution substituted “pursuit of happiness” with “property”, which will be discussed later): freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, the right to petition, and many more freedoms that Americans didn’t have before the Revolution, or even with the government prior to the Constitution—the Articles of Confederation. The creation of a Bill of Rights was a major turning point in American history because it’s still used even to this day, and is a part of everyday life in America. Without the Bill of Rights, first of all, people in America would’ve eventually rebelled against the nation, possibly in another civil war.

The new King attempted to create the Dominion of New England, which was planned to organize the northern colonies into a one large province and then to be ruled by a “royal appointee”. Yet, it had failed to be put into action. This, and the events happening in England, would lead to the Glorious Revolution following a few years later. The Glorious Revolution had rejected James II’s authority and after the overthrow of his authority the northern colonies were free from the Dominion of New England. The new King (William) seemed to have no interest in the colonies and left them to fend for themselves, which allowed the colonies to self-govern. The Bill of Rights, which Parliament had passed in 1689, would later on be a model of how the colonies would rule

The Magna Carta was signed by king john in 1215. Essentially, it said that the king had to fallow the laws of the land and not to abuse his power. Also it gave the people many right they didn't have before. Next the English Bill of right, "creates separation of powers, limits the powers of the king and queen, enhances the democratic election and bolsters freedom of speech"(Study.com). Then the declaration of the rights of man and citizen is considered on of the most important document the French revolution. It gives rights, like freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. The declaration of Independence announced that America is free and separate from England and is no longer under the authority of England king. it also says that all men a free and equal and have unalienable rights. Additionally, the bill of rights gives all Americans rights, for example, freedom of speech, assembly, press, religion and the right to bear

The Bill of Rights were made up of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. It explained the rights of the Americans as it pertains to their government. The people had the freedom of speech, religion, press and even the right to bear arms. These were just a few of the important roles contained in the Bill of Rights to protect the liberty of the citizens.

The Bill of Rights had a major impact as a new constitution was set throughout the country. As a non-violent action, the constitution convention had put together a new system for American government( Pohel, 2014). Unlike the previous rebellious actions I had discussed above, the Bill of Rights was a result of a peaceful conference that changed America. The shift of power from the states government to the National government was a significant change as Americans worried that the National Government was going to end up like the British, which overly abused their power that turned the country into tyrannic society. To make the people worry less about the problem, the Bill of Rights prohibited the National government from disregarding people’s right. This made the majority of people changed their mind into supporting the Constitution. In a longer term, the Bill of Rights reminded the government the importance of people’s rights and how they should never be neglected. Despite the influences of the Bill of Rights, violent actions were still did a better job in helping the country to grow. The War of 1812 represented a strong statement made by the United States to show

The Glorious Revolution set up a very limited monarchy which can be defined and explained in England’s Bill of Rights 1689 (Boyer). England’s Bill of Rights let out certain civil rights for the people. The government controlled how much you can do on your own and how much freedom you have as a person (“Bill of Rights”). According to the Enduring Vision History book, the Bill of Rights drastically limited kingly power; vindicated limited representative government (Boyer). The Glorious Revolution sparked the colonist of Massachusetts to resume their own government. The new government brought in Rhode Island and Connecticut to elect their own governors to represent their colonies

The Bill of Rights is a list of limitations on the power of the government. Firstly, the Bill of Rights is successful in assuring the adoption of the Constitution. Secondly, the Bill of Rights did not address every foreseeable situation. Thirdly, the Bill of Rights has assured the safety of the people of the nation. Successes, failures, and consequences are what made the Bill of Rights what they are today.