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List the principles of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the American Declaration of Independence, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, and the U.S. Bill of Rights.
A:
The Magna Carta, also known as the "Great Charter," was a feudal government that King John was forced to sign by the English nobles at Runnymede in 1215. Its purpose was to confer more rights on nobles. In later centuries, the Magna Carta was used to limit the monarch's power. Another principle of the Magna Carta can be identified in the provision that reads: "No man shall be taken or imprisoned, or in any way destroyed, not will we go upon him, nor send upon him, except by the legal judgment of his peers or by the law of the land." In other words, this gave rise to the Magna Carta's principle of trial by jury and laid the basis for due process of law.
In 1698, the English Bill of Rights was passed by Parliament. As a result, the English Bill of Rights set forth many principles in its wake, such as representative government—that is, laws made by a group that acts for the people. It established the right for legislature (in this case being the Parliament) to make laws, levy taxes, and command armies, which also became a principle of the English Bill of Rights. Furthermore, the English Bill of Rights founded the right to keep and bear firearms. Like the Magna Carta, it also further established the right to have jury trials.
In 1776, the American Declaration of Independence declared the American colonies free and independent states and amounted to a declaration of war against Great Britain. Nevertheless, within the text of the Declaration of Independence, it sets forth several principles. The first one can be seen in this declaration’s first verse: "All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuits of happiness; these are unalienable rights— that government cannot be taken away." The second principle of the Declaration of Independence, however, is the idea of popular sovereignty.
The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was adopted by the National Assembly in 1789. Inspired by the English Bill of Rights and by the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution, this charter of basic rights began with a ringing affirmation of the natural rights of man to "liberty, property, and resistance to oppression." Furthermore, the declaration declared that all men were free and equal before the law, that appointment to public office should be based on talent, and that no group should be exempt from taxation. It also gave all citizens the right to vote and affirmed the freedom of speech and the press.
Established in 1791, the U.S. Bill of Rights set forth many principles. The freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly was one of them. Moreover, the Bill of Rights laid out a number of other rights: the right against unreasonable searches and arrests, the right to bear arms, and the right to trial by jury. One of the most well-known of these rights, however, is the right to due process. In turn of the affirmation of these rights, they became principles that have had a great impact on the diverse countries and their political systems.
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Overall, your paper provides a good overview of the principles of the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, American Declaration of Independence, French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and U.S. Bill of Rights. The information you presented is accurate and demonstrates an understanding of each document.
To further improve your paper, you could consider the following:
1. Clearer organization: You can consider organizing the information in a more structured manner, perhaps by dedicating a separate paragraph to each document. This would make it easier for the reader to follow and understand each principle.
2. Adding historical context: Providing more context about the historical circumstances under which each document was created and its significance would enhance the reader's understanding. This could include mentioning the societal or political conditions that influenced the development of these documents.
3. Expanding on the impact: While you mentioned that these principles have had a great impact on countries and their political systems, you could elaborate on specific examples of the influence of these principles, both historically and in present times.
4. Citations and references: It would be helpful to include proper citations and references for the sources you used. This adds credibility to your paper and allows readers to explore the topic further if they desire.
Overall, your paper is well-written and presents a solid understanding of the principles outlined in each document. By implementing these suggestions, you can further enhance the clarity and depth of your analysis. Good job!