Final answer:
The English Bill of Rights established a constitutional monarchy that limited the king's power and laid the foundation for the protection of citizen's rights, influencing many democratic principles including the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights. It guaranteed liberties like free elections, trial by jury, and habeas corpus and required the monarchy to adhere to laws made by Parliament, fostering democratic governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best explains the importance of the English Bill of Rights is that it established a constitutional monarchy that limited the monarch's power and enumerated the rights of citizens, influencing many future democratic documents including the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The English Bill of Rights in 1689 was vital as it set out the liberties of subjects and limited the powers of the king, marking a significant shift towards a system in which the monarchy was subject to the law and provided a foundation for democratic principles. It guaranteed rights to life, liberty, and property, and included important provisions such as the right to free elections, trial by jury, and habeas corpus.
The English Bill of Rights not only secured protections for English citizens but also laid down the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution and the American values that champion individual liberties and the government's relationship to its citizens. The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, drew heavily from this seminal document, incorporating rights such as freedom of speech, trial by jury, and protection from excessive fines and cruel punishments.
Overall, the English Bill of Rights 1689 was a groundbreaking document that protected personal freedoms, ensured fair treatment in the judicial system, and required that the Crown seek Parliament's approval for taxation, highlighting the development towards a more democratic society and influencing future constitutional frameworks.