Colonial Influences

  • 1215

    Magna Carta

    The purpose of the Magna Carta was to limit the King's power so he didn't have supreme rule of England.It was written by the nobility. The big ideas from the Magna Carta were limited government, rights, rule of law, and due process.
  • Mayflower Compact

    The purpose of the Mayflower Compact was to enforce a government between a small group of individuals in the 1600's. It was written by English pilgrims. The big ideas for the Mayflower Compact were self government and rule of law.
  • English Bill of Rights

    The purpose of the English Bill of Rights was to enforce a set of laws for citizens and government to obey, also to limit more of the King's power to keep him from abusing his power in England.
  • Cato's Letters

    The purpose of Cato's Letters was to argue against the king's heavy handed rule in the 1720's. They were written by two anonymous journalists called Cato the Elder and Cato the Younger.
  • Common Sense

    Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 to encourage the people of England ti become independent and flee from England.