Before the American colonies separated from British rule, many ideas had already shaped how colonists viewed government. Events and documents from both England and the colonies helped them understand their rights, first as English citizens and later as American colonists.
In 1215, a group of English nobles forced King John to sign a written agreement called the Magna Carta. This document was meant to protect the rights of the wealthy nobles and limit the power of the king. Even though it applied only to a small group at the time, it introduced an important idea: no ruler is above the law. Over the centuries, people began to see the Magna Carta as proof that governments must also follow laws and respect rights.
By the 1600s, English leaders like Sir Edward Coke argued that the rights in the Magna Carta applied to all English citizens. Coke helped write colonial charters that promised these rights to settlers in places like Virginia and Massachusetts. Early colonial governments used these promises to push for fair treatment and protection under the law. In Massachusetts, a local document called the Body of Liberties listed rights that were clearly inspired by English legal traditions.
During this same time, England faced struggles between Parliament and the monarchy. These fights led to a civil war and, for a short time, England had no king at all. In 1688, Parliament removed King James II from power and replaced him with William and Mary. This peaceful change was called the Glorious Revolution. It showed that a ruler could be replaced when they abused their power.
The next year, Parliament passed the English Bill of Rights. This document listed rules the government had to follow. It said that the monarch could not make laws or raise taxes without Parliament’s approval. It protected certain rights for citizens, including the right to petition the king and protection from cruel punishments. Colonists paid attention to these rules and expected their own governments to protect similar rights.
In the 1730s and 1740s, a religious movement called the Great Awakening swept through the colonies. Preachers like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards gave powerful speeches that encouraged people to think for themselves. They used simple language and said that all people were equal in the eyes of God. This message made many colonists start to question traditional authority, including leaders in government.The Great Awakening also brought people in different colonies together. Preachers traveled between towns and spread shared messages. Printed pamphlets helped spread their ideas even more. These new connections helped colonists feel more united.
By the middle of the 1700s, many colonists believed their rights should be protected. They had learned that no ruler should have unlimited power, that laws must be followed, and that unfair authority can be challenged. These foundational beliefs would shape the actions people across the colonies took in the years leading to the American Revolution.