USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Virginia’s Declaration of Rights was drawn upon by Thomas Jefferson for the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. It was widely copied by the other colonies and became the basis of the Bill of Rights.

Detailed explanation-2: -During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress called on the states to write new constitutions. Many of these state constitutions included their own Declarations of Rights. The most influential of these charters of freedom was the Virginia Declaration of Rights-authored primarily by George Mason.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual-like freedom of speech, press, and religion.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Bill of Rights was strongly influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason. Other precursors include English documents such as the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, the English Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Body of Liberties.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted in 1776 to proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to reform or abolish “inadequate” government. It influenced a number of later documents, including the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and the United States Bill of Rights (1789).