In what ways were eighteenth-century American and british societies similar or dissimilar in terms of the rights of individual liberty equality of opportunity and property
In what ways were eighteenth-century American and british societies similar or dissimilar in terms of the rights of individual liberty equality of opportunity and property
2 Answers
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Eighteenth-century British and American societies were similar in the sense that they both had a system of laws and rights that protected individual liberty, property, and equality of opportunity. Both societies also had a strong sense of social hierarchy and class divisions, although the American colonies had more of a focus on individual rights and freedoms. The British system focused more on the rights of the Crown and the nobility, while the American colonies were more focused on the rights of the people. On the other hand, the British system was more oppressive and restrictive, while the American colonies had greater levels of freedom and more opportunities for upward social mobility.
Explanation
The answer given above is important because it highlights the key differences between the legal systems of Britain and America in the eighteenth century. Understanding the differences between the two systems is essential to understanding the development of democracy in the United States. The answer also helps to explain why the American colonies were able to secure greater rights and freedoms than the British system.
The answer touches on the importance of laws, such as the Bill of Rights and the Habeas Corpus Act, in protecting individual liberty and property in Britain. It also highlights the importance of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence in America, which established the separation of powers between the branches of government and outlined the rights of citizens. The answer also emphasizes the importance of equality of opportunity, which was protected by laws in both societies.
The implications of the answer are that the legal systems of Britain and America in the eighteenth century were very different, with the American colonies having more opportunities for individual rights and freedoms, as well as greater levels of social mobility. The development of democracy in the United States can be traced back to the greater rights and freedoms that were secured in the American colonies. The importance of laws in protecting individual liberty and property, as well as guaranteeing equality of opportunity, was also highlighted.
The similarities between American and British societies in terms of
the rights of individual liberty, suffrage, and property were both
American and British societies set up the ideas of fundamental
rights, rule of law and representative government. In terms of
individual rights, both American and British societies guarantees
the ideas from the Magna Carta which included the freedom from
illegal arrest, trial by jury, and no taxation without consent
etc.. In addition, both American and British societies provide the
rule of law to protect people’s fundamental rights and liberty that
everyone had to obey. In term of suffrage, both American and
suffrage provided limited suffrage to people in the societies to
white male property owners. Moreover, in term of property, same as
British society, laws in American society protected the owning of
property. For example, American colonists believed that the
security of life and liberty were based on the security of property
and one purpose of government was to protect property.
American and British societies were different in term of equality
of opportunity. American colonists had greater equality of
opportunities to achieve prosperity than people in British society
and there were equal chance for people to improve their life which
become the fundamental idea in American society. Unlike American
society, British society had a rigid class system in which some
wealthy and family name allowed the automatic success in a land
where other people had to work hard in order to survive. American
society and British society also differ in term of suffrage because
in American society, the people who had the right of suffrage were
offered a choice of competition candidates for office and
representatives. However, in British society, the voting of office
and representatives were limited by social classes.