Influences on the Founding Fathers

Four principles influenced the Founding Fathers:
- Limited Government: Limiting the government's power to prevent abuse. For example, the government cannot take a person's property whenever it wants.
- Self Government: A group of people create their own rules, laws, or government. For example, the British colonists created The United States Of America.
- Rule of Law: Everyone, including the president, must follow the law. No one is above the law.
- Due Process: Fair rules and laws in the legal system. A person cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process. For example, a person has the right to a trial if charged with a crime.

Context: The King of England was treating his people unfairly (e.g., taking property without compensation, jailing without a trial).
The wealthy nobles were upset and forced the king to sign the Magna Carta.
Provisions:
- The king could not impose new taxes without the consent of the barons.
- A person could not be jailed without a trial.
Importance:
- Limited the king's power (limited government).
- The king had to follow the rules (rule of law).
- Ensured people couldn't be jailed without a trial (due process).

Context: Pilgrims on their way to North America were blown off course and landed in an area without existing rules or laws.
The Pilgrims created their own rules and laws before coming ashore, calling it the Mayflower Compact.
Signed by 41 men (women were not allowed to vote at the time).
Importance: An example of self government (the Pilgrims created their own rules and laws).

Context: Similar to the Magna Carta, but with a different king who was acting unfairly.
The people and the English Parliament were upset.
The king was replaced, and the English Bill of Rights was signed.
Provisions:
- Rights such as the right to bear arms.
- Freedom to petition the government.
- Protection from cruel and unusual punishment.
Importance:
- Gave people rights and limited the government's power.
- The US Bill of Rights mirrors many of these rights, such as the right to bear arms and freedom to petition.

Context: British colonies were in open rebellion but unsure about declaring independence.
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense, arguing that it was "common sense" to declare independence from Britain.
Written in plain English so common people could understand it, and it persuaded many to support independence.
Importance: An example of self government (the idea that the colonists should create their own country).

The Founding Fathers relied on the principles contained in these documents, specifically:

The Founding Fathers were influenced by these documents and used the principles contained in them to create the United States.