Ideas Behind the U.S. Government A series of documents and philosophers! John Locke Thomas Jefferson Magna Carta Dec. of Ind. Bill of Rights Directions for Chart Please make the following chart: 2 columns 9 rows Document or PhilosopherPrinciple ( what ideas did early American political leaders use from the document or philosopher?) Magna Carta & English Bill of Rights (1215- King John) Gave aristocracy inalienable rights, Limits power of King or Monarch, Taxation w/ representation, trial by jury John LockeSocial Contract and Natural Rights (life, liberty, & property). Basis for Dec. of Independence. Spirit of Laws by Baron de Montesquieu Separation of Powers w/in govt. into 3 parts. Continued next page The Mayflower Compact, April, 1620 Est. self-government in colonies. Representative Democracy Dec. of Independence, 1776 Govt must protect the natural rights of life, liberty, & property of the pple being governed. RepublicA representative govt with a president at the head. Bill of Rights (1 st 10 Amendments to the Const.) Describes the rights that are guaranteed to the pple by the govt. VA Statute of Religious Freedom, by Thomas Jefferson, Jan., 1786 Established religious freedom in VA.