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Jun 5, 1215
Magna Carta
In the Magna Carta, it says that there is freedom of church; in the Constitution, it says there is a freedom of religion. In both taxes are discussed. In the Magna Carta it says that only the Parliament can levy the taxes. Although the U.S. does not have a Parliament, it says that the Congress levies the taxes, not the President. The right to trial by jury is in both documents. There are also other many similarities between the two documents such as government, equal fines, and witnesses. -
The Mayflower Compact
This compact was the first-agreement for a self-government to be created and used in America. The Mayflower Compact was signed to pass just and equal rights for the good of the population. The constitution is influenced by The Mayflower Compact; both of the documents talk about the equal and just rights of the citizens within the country. The Mayflower Compact as expressed deep faith in God and his guidance that he gives everyone. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
This document was the first written and detailed constitution in America. It was a very big stepping stone on the way to the modern-day democracy. It was a statement that was a detailed plan in the government which gave power to the people. It established the two courts; the Court of Election and the General Court. The document gave a groundwork for the government that is used today. It helped us step away from England's rule. -
The English Bill of Rights
This was a document that stated the protection rights of citizens and that elections should be held regularly. The English Bill of Rights had habeas corpus, no person should be held in prison without being charged for a crime, and so does the Constitution. Both documents included the right to trial by jury. -
Albany Plan of Union
It was a proposal to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies. The plan represented one of many tries to form a union in the colonies. After the Revolutionary War, the Albany Plan of Union inspired some parts of the draft of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution. It was the first official attempt to develop a inter-colonial government among the first American colonies of the United States. "Join or Die" was a cartoon created by Ben Franklin during this time. -
French & Indian War
The French and Indian War was caused by French trappers and traders in North America when they adopted Native American ways. The French and Indians launched a surprise attack on the British where have of the British were either killed or wounded. The American Colonies were taxed to pay for the war. The British end up defeating France. In the end, many different Acts had to be added to the constitution because of the French and Indian War. -
Sugar Act
These taxes were up upon foreign materials such as sugars, wines, coffees, and dyes. The colonists did not like the new tax placed upon them. The colonists formed assemblies, protests, and boycotts. The colonists did not pay the tax to new acts were made: Stamp Act and Quartering Act. Overall, the Stamp Act changed the relationship between the U.S. colonies and Britain. It was the beginning towards independence. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a direct form of taxation that was placed upon the Americans. It places a tax on every printed items within the colonies of the United States. It was made to raise enough money to keep the British soldiers in the American after the French and Indian War. This was part of the Quartering Act. The Stamp Act threatened the freedom of speech of the colonists, journalists, and writers. The Stamp Act ended up being repealed. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was made to force local governments to provide housing for the British Soldiers that were in the thirteen colonies of the U.S. The British needed to keep their armies in the colonies to enforce the laws. They also needed to collect money to pay off their war debt that they had. This type of act is not included in the constitution but it did have an impact of the people that were there during that time. It eventually helped lead to the Revolution that took place. -
Intolerable Act
The Intolerable Acts were four laws that were made by Parliament because of the Boston Tea Party. Trade coming in and out of Boston was stopped on the harbor. Massachusetts colonies could not hold town meetings more than once a year without the governors permission. People could be tried in Britain or Canada instead of Massachusetts if they wanted. The Acts held the Quartering Act in which colonists had to house and feed British soldiers when no housing was available. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting of all of the delegates of the colonies. It was discussed to uphold the rights of the colonies and develop the future independent government. During this time, each colony had to begin training troops. The continental congress also had to deal with the Intolerable Acts that Britain had forced upon the United States. During the meeting the Articles of Association was made that said if Britain did not stop the Acts the British goods would be boycotted. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress started an army. During the Second Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence written and adopted on July 4, 1776. It told all of the other countries that the colonies were now the United States. The states wrote constitutions after this to create laws. During this time the authorization of printing money and post offices were made. Committees to communicate with the Native Americans and other countries were also formed which are still used today. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776 but was not signed until August 2, 1776. It was only accepted after a large portion was cut out of it that attacked slavery. It says that people are born with the natural rights such as life, liberty, and property. It was made to show why the colonies decided to revolt against Britain and have their own independence. If the Declaration of Independence had not been written we may not be a free country today like we are. -
Articles of Confederation
This documents gave the national government very few powers. The most important powers went to the states. In both the constitution and the articles of confederation the power was granted to make treaties with other countries and to issue money. There were certain parts of the Articles of Confederation that the government like and parts that were not like. Some of it was used in the Constitution. -
Virgina Plan
The ideas that were proposed in the Virginia Plan would be used to outline the U.S. Constitution. The plan proposed the three different branches of the government and the checks/balances system; both of these parts are still used today. It also started the two houses of the government which are also used today. The Virginia Plan suggested that the representation should be based on the population of the states. The Virginia Plan was very influential on the U.S. Constitution. -
New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan said that the legislature would have one house and that the power to trade and taxation would be enabled. The plan used the three branches of the government like the Virginia Plan. The New Jersey Plan did not offer very much power to the government. The New Jersey Plan is also known as the Small State Plan. It was used as a response to the Virginia Plan. It was also made to replace the Articles of Confederation and make a better government but it was not used for that. -
Three-Fifths Compromise
The Three-Fifths Compromise was an agreement between the north and south to have the slaves counted as for every 5 slaves 3 of them were counted in the population. They would be counted in the House as well as the first "direct" taxing. It was good and bad for both the north and the south states. The slaves were seen as property. The Three-Fifths Compromise is not used today in the Constitution because slavery was abolished. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion is a name given to a series of protests that happened in 1786-1787. They rebelled against the state/local governments. Although the rebellion never threated the United States it greatly alarmed the politicians in the nation. The rebellion showed the politicians that the citizens were not afraid to fight for what they want or believe in. The rebellion was proof that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised. It was brought up during the completing of the constitution.
