The United States government was built upon the influences of Great Britain and



enlightenment ideals. Many of the ideas that were included in the Declaration of Independence and



the United States Constitution can be traced back to England. The statement above is true, and based



on my knowledge of history and historical data, I will prove it true.



Democratic roots took its beginning in the English experience. The source of civil power is



the people of the nation, not the king – originated in the 17th century with the English Puritans and



their Scottish confreres, known there as Presbyterians. Both groups opposed the luxury and



elaborate ritualism of the episcopalian Church of England, along with its levels of hierarchical



authority that dictated to the church members. In civil government they opposed the related



doctrine of divine right of kings........(to be continued)