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The Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence

The two significant documents in British and American history, The Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence played an important role in their epoch and have indirect connection to each other. Yet, the focus of these two documents is different because of their purpose and the historical situation. Thus, The English Bill of Rights (1689) was a declaration that regulated internal organization of society, while the Declaration of Independence (1776) mostly focused on the external politics, that is the break of the United States with the British Empire.

When looking at these documents in a detail, it should be noted that the Bill of Rights declared several principles which later influenced other constitutions. It establishes constitutional monarchy in Britain and provides more freedom to parliament. Such values as freedom of speech, honest justice system and freedom of elections shape the values of democracy in Europe and later worldwide. Because the monarchy stopped being absolute, colonies received more freedom of action and got out of the empire’s control. Thus, it can be stated that the Bill of Rights facilitated the birth of the United States and creating the Declaration of Independence in particular.

In its turn, the Declaration of Independence had a different focus because its role was to proclaim the break of the former colony with the empire. The power of the king was disapproved by new American leaders and the introduction of the constitutional monarchy led to the collapse of the empire. At the same time, it should be mentioned that some of the principles included in the Bill of Rights were taken as patterns by the creators of American Declaration of Independence. Thus, for example, the idea that all people are equal and should have the same rights, and the statement that people empower the government.