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What English political innovations are reflected in the constitution?

I have to write an essay on this. Why does the question mean? I'm so confused! Help!

Public Comments

1. Not sure if this is what you mean, but: The U.S Constitution is based on English Common Law. Many of the first colonists (and many of those that followed) had fled England, as well as other countries, mainly to avoid religious persecution but also oppressive class-based systems. England doesn't have an "official" Constitution, their law is based on the Magna Carta of 1215 and other various "amendments" (for lack of a better term) through the centuries. The innovations made by the U.S. as opposed to the English law it is taken from, include doing away with the monarchy, our Bill of Rights (guaranteeing freedom of speech and the press and other basic human rights - Amendments 1 - 10), Amendments which guarantee protection from unlawful search and seizure, etc. and various other liberties we enjoy. The earliest colonists had first-hand experience with being persecuted by their own government and the framers of the Constitution remembered them and made sure the citizens of the U.S. would be protected from unwarranted, invasive and class-based limits on our rights. The U.S. Constitution outlines the three branches of government which are there to provide a system of checks and balances so that one single branch does not gain too much power over the others. Honestly, you should read the Declaration of Independence (it'll take you about 10 minutes max. and is incredibly well written - not an unnecessary word in the whole thing). Then read through the Constitution and Amendments. It won't take that long either and you'll be surprised at how "current" it still is as it applies to our lives today. The reasons for that is that the framers of the Constitution also built in ways to change it so wouldn't become "obsolete" or too restrictive and would reflect the country's changing values and requirements - that's what the Amendments do (see 11th thru 27th). It's often called a "living document" Follow the links below - it's good to know this stuff anyway! Good luck on your paper - hope this helps...