Randa Abdelfattah

The bloody assizes only added to the fear and hatred that many in England already had for King James II. And a few years later, he was overthrown in what's known today as the Glorious Revolution, in which the king's own men deserted him, leaving him to flee the country and die in exile. The seeds of democracy in England had been sown.

The bloody assizes only added to the fear and hatred that many in England already had for King James II. And a few years later, he was overthrown in what's known today as the Glorious Revolution, in which the king's own men deserted him, leaving him to flee the country and die in exile. The seeds of democracy in England had been sown.

The bloody assizes only added to the fear and hatred that many in England already had for King James II. And a few years later, he was overthrown in what's known today as the Glorious Revolution, in which the king's own men deserted him, leaving him to flee the country and die in exile. The seeds of democracy in England had been sown.

The English Bill of Rights was established by Parliament, outlining civil rights and limiting the power of the monarchy. Included was language that would show up in the U.S. Bill of Rights more than 100 years later.

The English Bill of Rights was established by Parliament, outlining civil rights and limiting the power of the monarchy. Included was language that would show up in the U.S. Bill of Rights more than 100 years later.

The English Bill of Rights was established by Parliament, outlining civil rights and limiting the power of the monarchy. Included was language that would show up in the U.S. Bill of Rights more than 100 years later.

To separate themselves from the British and the monarchy, during the American Revolution, states started writing their own constitutions.

To separate themselves from the British and the monarchy, during the American Revolution, states started writing their own constitutions.

To separate themselves from the British and the monarchy, during the American Revolution, states started writing their own constitutions.

It wasn't just Virginia. State after state adopted similar language around cruel and unusual punishment in their state constitutions.

It wasn't just Virginia. State after state adopted similar language around cruel and unusual punishment in their state constitutions.

It wasn't just Virginia. State after state adopted similar language around cruel and unusual punishment in their state constitutions.

But there was still a big question about cruel and unusual.

But there was still a big question about cruel and unusual.

But there was still a big question about cruel and unusual.

That comment came from William Smith, a representative from South Carolina.

That comment came from William Smith, a representative from South Carolina.

That comment came from William Smith, a representative from South Carolina.

And then there was the most substantial comment from Samuel Livermore of New Hampshire.

And then there was the most substantial comment from Samuel Livermore of New Hampshire.