The New York Charter of Liberties had numerous objectives. It laid out the political organization of the colony, set up the procedures for election into the assembly, created twelve counties, and guaranteed certain individual rights for free men. This Charter required that every election that took place be held every three years for the election of representatives for each of the colonies that were part of the assembly. The voting procedures were created by male property owners and the free men of New York City. The charter also relisted traditional English rights such as trial by jury and the security of property, as well as religious toleration for all protestants. Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. This idea was very important and was the basis to the change that society was going through during this time.

The Charter of Liberties and Privileges of 1683, Massachuset Body of Liberties of 1641, and the Independent Reflector of 1752 all shared a common characteristic. They established rules within the English colonies during the late 17th and early18th century. There was a lay out of political organization of the colonies, which set up the steps for groups of people to meet. Individual rights were being guaranteed to colonists that lived there, under the general court that legislated and dictated the authority of higher officials. Peoples rights were being protected under the establishment of legal codes, which were a code of laws adopted by a state or nation. On the other hand, colonies began being tested throughout this period as colonies began going their seperate ways. Absolute monarchies, a form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate government authority as head of the state and head of government, would affect human rights and some colonies did not feel they should be part of that, so they were forced to become limited monarchies. In a limited monarchy, the monarch acts as a head of a state within the guiddlines of a constitution.

The Massachusetts Body of Liberties was a list of rights that were granted to the people living in the colony of Massachusetts. Among the rights listed in the Massachusetts Body of Liberties were limited religious freedom and equal protection of the laws for landowners. 95. A Declaration of the Liberties the Lord Jesus Hath Given to the Churches. People that are not part of the church life have the right to join. The church has the right to practice the church duties, according to the rules of scriptures. Also had the ability to have elections of their officers within time to time. This Body of Liberties was similar to the Bill of Rights that was added to the U.S. Constitution which was a declaration of the rights and freedoms of a class of people. Charged criminal offenses include: no man should be incarserated without trial, and the right to be able to be proven innocent to a judge and jury. If a woman's husband dies and doesn’t leave anything to his wife, she has the ability to go to court and claim what is rightfully hers. Domestic violence is not allowed in the household either. In a child's case, if both parents die, the first born son gets rights to then property.

The age of enlightenment was a cultural movement of intellectuals emphasizing reason and individualism. Its purpose was to reform society using reason, to challenge ideas guided by tradition and faith, and advance knowledge using the scientific method. The enlightenment was a revolution in human thought. The Independent Reflector's essay mirrored this same thought that men had the right to govern themselves; that society be reformed on the basis of reason to challenge the ideas of the monarchs and of the church. The article highlights that men should never abandon their reason and be held captive by their passion.