What key event was associated with the English Bill of Rights in 1689?

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The English Bill of Rights in 1689 marked a significant development in the evolution of parliamentary democracy and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in England. This document was enacted in the wake of the Glorious Revolution, during which William of Orange took the throne from James II. The Bill of Rights fundamentally altered the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament, ensuring that the monarch could not impose taxes or laws without parliamentary consent, thereby laying the groundwork for a government accountable to the people.

This establishment of a constitutional monarchy was pivotal because it limited the powers of the king or queen, affirming the role of Parliament in governance and protecting certain rights of individuals. It formalized the principle that the government must operate according to the law and outlined specific rights, such as the right to bear arms and the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

The other events listed do not connect directly to the purpose or outcomes of the English Bill of Rights. The signing of the Magna Carta occurred over four centuries earlier and pertains to different aspects of legal rights. The formation of the Iroquois Confederacy relates to Indigenous governance, while the introduction of mercantilism deals with economic policies rather than constitutional developments.

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