In 1688, England had its Glorious Revolution, which was glorious because Parliament kicked out King James II without firing a shot. It then invited William III and Mary (James’s daughter) to occupy the throne subject to Parliament’s rules. It articulated these Rules in the Declaration of Rights from 1689.
To the extent Americans are familiar with the Declaration of Rights, it’s because so many of the Founders were familiar with it and believed in it. The American Revolution came about in significant part because England was denying those rights to its American subjects. (Parliament responded by saying those rights were meant to limit the King, not Parliament, which is why modern-day Brits have no rights, only privileges.)
After the Revolution, the Founders continued to believe believed that these rights were inherent in all citizens, no matter who controlled the government (that is, whether King or Parliament). Therefore, when it came time for them to create America’s Bill of Rights, they looked to that 1689 template. You can view those British rights here and you’ll recognize many of them. The Founders, wise through painful experience, made clear that these inherent rights exist regardless of the form of government.
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