Historic Documents that Influenced the American System of Government.

Historic Documents Historic Documents that Influenced the that Influenced the

American System of American System of GovernmentGovernment

Magna Carta, 1215Magna Carta, 1215

Limited the power of the king by Limited the power of the king by guaranteeing rights to the people.guaranteeing rights to the people.

These rights were:These rights were:– no cruel & unusual punishmentno cruel & unusual punishment– the right to a fair and speedy trial by the right to a fair and speedy trial by

your peersyour peers– the government must have the the government must have the

peoples approval to levy taxespeoples approval to levy taxes

The House of Burgesses, The House of Burgesses, 16191619

Written in Virginia Written in Virginia in 1619, the House in 1619, the House of Burgesses is the of Burgesses is the first example of an first example of an elected elected representative representative assembly in the assembly in the AmericasAmericas

The Mayflower Compact, 1620The Mayflower Compact, 1620

Written by the Written by the Pilgrims when they Pilgrims when they landed near landed near Plymouth. It is a Plymouth. It is a contract of self contract of self government where government where government is government is organized for the organized for the good of the people.good of the people.

The Fundamental Orders of The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1636Connecticut, 1636

Considered the first Considered the first written constitution in written constitution in the colonies which the colonies which outlined how outlined how government worked government worked and that the and that the community is to work community is to work togethertogether

All other colonies will All other colonies will model their model their constitutions like itconstitutions like it

English Bill of Rights, 1689English Bill of Rights, 1689 Monarchs William and Monarchs William and

Mary of Orange agree to Mary of Orange agree to allow the parliament allow the parliament (people) power over the (people) power over the monarchy.monarchy.

Additional rights gained:Additional rights gained:– freedom of speech and freedom of speech and

debatedebate– no excessive bails, right no excessive bails, right

to petition government to petition government and a right to trialand a right to trial

The Declaration of The Declaration of Independence, 1776Independence, 1776

Written by Thomas Written by Thomas Jefferson it is made of Jefferson it is made of three parts: a statement of three parts: a statement of human rights, reasons for human rights, reasons for declaring independence declaring independence and the declaration.and the declaration.

It explains: Unalienable It explains: Unalienable rights, government gets it rights, government gets it power from the people and power from the people and people have the right to people have the right to replace bad governments.replace bad governments.

The Articles of Confederation, The Articles of Confederation, 17811781

Adopted at the 2nd Adopted at the 2nd Continental CongressContinental Congress

It was a weak national It was a weak national government because government because power resided in statespower resided in states

Could not collect Could not collect taxes, enforce laws, taxes, enforce laws, regulate trade or regulate trade or amend the Articlesamend the Articles

United States Constitution, United States Constitution, 17871787

Adopted as a result of Adopted as a result of the many weaknesses the many weaknesses of the Articlesof the Articles

Outlines the formation Outlines the formation of government, of government, includes a Bill of includes a Bill of Rights and presents a Rights and presents a the federal system of the federal system of governmentgovernment

The Signing of the United The Signing of the United States ConstitutionStates Constitution

Representative GovernmentRepresentative Government People elect People elect

representatives to make representatives to make laws and govern. Elected laws and govern. Elected representatives have the representatives have the power to pass laws. This power to pass laws. This power is deprived from power is deprived from the people’s consent the people’s consent (voting representatives (voting representatives who represent the voters who represent the voters desires).desires).