US Constitutional Roots in English Tradition

True: Deep English Constitutional Heritage

The U.S. Constitution draws heavily on English constitutional history, including:

• Magna Carta (1215) – rule of law, due process
• Petition of Right (1628) – no taxation without consent, no arbitrary imprisonment
• English Bill of Rights (1689) – free elections, parliamentary speech, no cruel punishment
• Common Law – precedent, jury trial, habeas corpus
• Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Montesquieu) – natural rights, separation of powers

Key Principles Inherited

Limited government, checks and balances, individual rights, representative government, and an independent judiciary all have English antecedents adapted to a written, republican framework.