- The English Bill of Rights (1689): This document established the rights of English citizens, including the freedom of speech, assembly, and petition, and the right to a fair trial.
- The writings of John Locke: Locke's ideas about natural rights and the consent of the governed influenced the founders of the United States, who believed that governments should derive their power from the consent of the governed.
- The writings of Montesquieu: Montesquieu's ideas about the separation of powers and checks and balances influenced the designers of the US Constitution, who created a system of government in which different branches of government could check each other's power.
- The French Revolution: The American Revolution was inspired in part by the French Revolution, which began in 1789 and was based on the ideals of equality, liberty, and fraternity.
- The American Revolution itself: The experiences of the American Revolutionaries, including their struggle for independence from Great Britain, also influenced the Declaration of Independence.