Influences On American Documen Essay, Research Paper

Influences Upon American Documents

Our country has been shaped by many different people. Our country has used the laws that were invented by people that lived a long time ago. The biggest influence on the documents that shape our country are from eighteenth century philosophes and from earlier English documents. If these documents were not around their might not be a United States of America.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This is one of the most known quotes in the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson got this quote from an idea by John Locke. John Locke said that we have natural right, and that there are three. Those rights are Life, Liberty, and Property. The Declaration of Independence says that there is an absolute tyrant. This is originated from the Magna Carta that says that their is a limit to the power of the ruler. The Declaration of Independence also says that the Governors cannot pass a law that is very important. It should also be approved by the citizens. This quote is taken from the English Bill of Rights. In the Declaration of Independence it also talks about making up three different branches of government which also comes from the English Bill of Rights. The English Petition of Rights says that the government cannot force you to house soldiers. It also says that you cannot be kept in jail for a crime that is not specified.

The U.S. Constitution , which was written by James Madison, is full of ideas from eighteenth century philosophes. John Locke said that the government’s power comes from the consent of the people The beginning of the U.S. Constitution says “We the people of the United States,” which shows it means it is not only the government. This idea also helped establish a government that is representative. Montesquieu talks about the separation of powers. The U.S. Constitution uses this idea in the federal system of government. This also made up the three branches of the government. Those three branches are the judicial, executive, and legislative. The three branches then help out the system of checks and balances. Rousseau talked about the direct democracy. The U.S. Constitution says that there will be a public election of president and congress which is from Rousseau’s idea.

The Bill of Rights was also written by James Madison. The Bill of Rights has only ten distinctive Rights that everyone has. The first right is freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Voltaire said ” I do not agree with what you say, but I will fight to my death for you to say it.” This shows that he fought for freedom of speech. Voltaire also fought for freedom of religion. The third right says that we have the right to not have to house a soldier during peacetime or war. This comes directly form what is said in the English Petition of Rights. The English Petition of Rights also says that we have protection of persons and property. That is the fifth right. The sixth right says that a person accused of a crime has the right to a speedy trial, a lawyer, and a jury. The Magna Carta states this in its laws. Beccaria said that the accused have rights too. In the Bill of Rights it says that their should not be excessive fines, bail, nor cruel punishment inflicted to a person that is accused of a crime. The last right says that the government cannot take away any of your rights. This is the idea of John Locke.

As you can see if it were not for these three documents the United States would not be the free, enjoyable place that we live in now. So when you hear of these documents do not put them off. Think of all of the ideas of different people that went in to make these important documents. Then you will have more respect for America.