Evolution of Law

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Evolution of Law

The government our nation has established today has come a long way from its roots. Starting with the Napoleonic Code and eventually ending with the Ratified Constitution of the United States.

Rome came to England bringing the Roman Code, thus law begins. The Roman Code was a rigid code that in reality did not change much. It required ample detail and was difficult to understand at times. For example, if there where five different murders all using five different colored knives. Whoever was in charge of the courts would record these murders as five different cases and may yield five different outcomes. In fact, defendants were never defended because there were no trials. You where brought before the people, asked of the crime, and given a penalty. Due to the fall of Rome, the Dark Ages, and, this government did not survive long. However, it created a great basis for all government today.

The Magna Carta was one of the first major documents to start organized government. King John I met with Barons in order to avoid war and make peace. The Barons were angered because of their previously denied personal rights and liberties. To appease the Barons King John I created the Magna Carta, in 1215, which gave the Barons the liberties they wanted. It also limited some of the king's powers. It was a basic Constitution to the English culture.

After a while, the renaissance era arrived and people began regrouping and governing themselves. Custom, usage, religion, and culture caused the Roman Code to evolve. Also, because "the way of life" for English was becoming more complex, the roman code could no longer suffice as law. Changes needed to be made to assure government did its job of protecting its citizens. So ...

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...erica was in essence born, and inside of America's heart laid the constitution. The constitution guaranteed its citizens personal rights and liberties that England never did. It affirmed to its citizens that the English terror they had overcome would never be endured again. But, two states where initially unhappy about the revamping of the Articles. New York and Rhode Island were upset because of a lack of personal liberties. The founding fathers pledged to honor there request if they signed the Constitution. And later the Bill of Rights was created to appease all.

In conclusion, our Government has come a long way to be what it is today. However, without the sweat, blood, and tears that have been shed, our nation would not be as great as it is at present. America, started with a bold but bare Roman Code and has concluded to a revamped and refurbished Constitution.

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