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476 BCE
Ancient Rome
The Ancient Roman government introduced a republic, the form of government that we use today. The citizens elected two consuls in place of an Emperor. -
460 BCE
Ancient Greece
The Ancient Greek government was called a democracy, which considers the will of the whole people, not just a few individuals. An assembly gathered a few times a month, and any male over the age of 18 was allowed to speak, or vote with a raise of hands. We follow this method in part today. -
Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was signed by King John of England after his barons, upset with the king's high taxes, pressed that he be a better king. The Magna Carta said he would do his part as king to protect the people and their rights and lands. The barons in return would surrender London, which had been captured due to the baron's rebellion. Although neither side kept their end of the bargain, those principles in the Magna Carta still remain for the English. -
1550
The Iroquois Confederacy
The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee (people of the Longhouse), was the union of five Indian tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. It was an agreement of peace; to create an alliance between the tribes. Among some of the reasons for the confederacy were to unite the tribes and bring peace and strength, eliminate warfare, expand territories and defend those they did have, establish a democratic government with equality, and to end cannibalism. -
The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first document to govern the English settlers upon arriving in the United States. The pilgrims agreed to follow the rules and regulations set in order to survive. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence resulted from the thirteen colonies and their desire to be free of Great Britain. It gave the base for individual rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." -
The Articles of Confederation
During the Revolutionary War there was great need for a stronger government, so the Articles of Confederation were presented and ratified by the thirteen colonies. This document was the United State's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation allowed the government to print money, create laws, and also raise an army. There are thirteen articles written that explain specific parts of the government. Still, it had many flaws that would later need to be changed. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was what officially ended the American Revolution, giving the United States freedom to be their own nation, with the need of forming their own individual government. -
Shay's Rebellion
Daniel Shays led a rebellion of farmers who were upset with the taking of farms for they payment of debts. This rebellion led the people and the upper classes to recognize the need for a stronger and more organized government. -
The Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan was a reaction to the Articles of Confederation. Fifteen resolutions were made to the articles, calling for a stronger national government. It was the very first document to separate the powers of the government- the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It outlined the powers of each branch of government, while keeping the rights of the people. Not one single person or group had complete power over the nation. -
The New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan was given not long after The Virginia Plan. However, the New Jersey Plan called for equal representation regardless of population, while the Virginia Plan called for representation by population. -
The Connecticut Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise was the combination of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, to please each state. The lower house would be represented by population, while the Senate would have two representatives from each state. -
The Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance helped organize the US territory beyond the Appalachian Mountains, to the Great Lakes, and to the Ohio River. It was an act of the Confederation of Congress. -
The Constitution of the United States
The US Constitution was the result of the Constitutional Convention, who met for four months to discuss the Constitution. The smaller states wanted equal representation, while the larger states wanted representation by population. It was approved by 39 of the 55 representatives there. The Constitution gives us the foundation of the government which we have today. -
The Bill of Rights
Some of the representatives at the Constitutional Congress would not approve of the Constitution until there was a Bill of Rights attached to it. Twelve amendments were written, ten of which were approved, making the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
