American democracy was influenced by political ideas of Europe. It was all about government, representative government, and individual rights.
Representative government is about the having a representative in government that will represent an organization, group or territory. This was based on Europe's bicameral, called Parliament which consists of two chambers the upper and lower house.
The limited government started when the Magna Carta was signed. It made the rule of law higher than any noble.
Individual Rights was strengthened during the Petition of Right pushed by the Parliament, signed by King Charles I.
An independent or free press would not be a trait of a fascist government. Fascist governments routinely restrict and suppress the press. It was not uncommon for those governments to control the press and publish official papers which supported their policies.
